tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40776978256651662622024-03-13T11:20:39.755-07:00Jay Allan WritesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-24997747780712733082016-11-30T20:30:00.000-08:002016-11-30T20:30:07.034-08:00Red Team Alpha Released!Red Team Alpha is a brand new Crimson Worlds Adventure, a story of first contact. If you haven't read the Crimson Worlds, Red Team Alpha is a standalone story. And if you have read the original series, you won't want to miss the first encounter between Gavin Stark and Roderick Vance.<br />
<br />
And it's just 99 cents for the first few days, so get your copy now! <br />
<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Red-Team-Alpha-Crimson-Adventure-ebook/dp/B01MZZAE2O/" target="_blank">Red Team Alpha at Amazon</a></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Red Team Alpha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
elite military unit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty
highly-trained veteran warriors, Mars’ best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are ready to face whatever dangers threaten the Confederation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are capable, dedicated, armed with the
best technology Mars has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
they don’t exist, at least not officially.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Now the team will be called upon to face its greatest
test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a planet in a newly-discovered
system there is a mysterious wreck, the remains of an ancient ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The discovery is a momentous one, first
contact and proof that mankind is not alone in the universe.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It is a job for the Team, but even these crack soldiers
will be tested to the limit of their abilities as they uncover the dark horror
within, a technological nightmare that threatens the very future of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soldiers of Alpha will fight, ignoring
the odds as usual, but this time they will be caught between two enemies.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For they are not the only ones who know about the ruins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now, the notorious Gavin Stark and his
Alliance Intelligence forces are on the move, seeking to seize the ancient
vessel and the priceless technology within for their own purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they are ready to do whatever is
necessary to gain the priceless ship…including wiping out Red Team Alpha
completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-43209757776599459402016-10-31T14:46:00.000-07:002016-10-31T14:46:06.178-07:00Duel in the Dark Released!Duel in the Dark is the first book in my new Blood on the Stars series. I'm really excited about this one...I was very happy with the way it turned out. I think this new series captures the scope and strength of the Crimson Worlds series, but I've written two million words since I published Marines, and I feel like it shows in this new book.<br />
<br />
I also know you don't like to wait too long for the next book. Book two, Call to Arms, is already available for preorder, and it will be released on January 27.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Duel-Dark-Blood-Stars-I-ebook/dp/B01MCZZTPS/" target="_blank">Duel in the Dark (exclusively at Amazon)</a><br />
<h3>
<br />Duel in the Dark</h3>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Gripping New Adventure by the Author of the Bestselling
Crimson Worlds and Far Stars series…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Confederation has fought three wars against the forces
of the totalitarian Union.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three
generations of its warriors have gone off to war, held the line against the larger,
more powerful enemy.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now the fourth
conflict is imminent, and the Confederation’s navy is on alert, positioned
behind the frontier, waiting for the attack it knows is coming.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The battleship Dauntless has spent the past ten months
patrolling the border, deployed far forward of the main fleet, a forlorn hope,
an advance guard positioned to give the warning of invasion.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But no attack has come.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her crew is exhausted, and the aging
battleship needs maintenance.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the
fleet mobilized and the forward bases overloaded beyond capacity, she is sent
clear across the Confederation, to a planet along the quiet and peaceful far
frontier.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her crew is looking forward to
a rest, and Dauntless herself is scheduled for a long-overdue maintenance
session.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But the quiet frontier isn’t what it seems…and when a
distress call is received from one of the mining colonies on the edge of
Confederation space, it falls to Captain Tyler Barron to take Dauntless
forward, to find out what is happening, and to put a stop to it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barron and his crew have their ship—and each other—but
they can expect no other help.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suspicion
is strong that Union deceit is at play, that the attack is some sort of
diversion, intended to draw Confederation forces from the disputed border.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The orders are clear.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No ships will be transferred from the
prospective battle line.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stopping whatever
is happening on the rim is Barron’s responsibility, and his alone.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barron is the grandson of the Confederation’s great hero,
the father of the modern navy. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His
family name has always carried privilege with it, and crushing
responsibility.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And now he must prove
that he has inherited more from his famous grandfather than name and
privilege.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He must face the enemy, and
win the victory…before the Confederation is caught between two enemies and
destroyed.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blood on the Stars Reading Order</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book 1:</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Duel in
the Dark</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book 2:</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Call to
Arms (January 2017, Available now for preorder)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Duel-Dark-Blood-Stars-I-ebook/dp/B01MCZZTPS/" target="_blank">Duel in the Dark (exclusively at Amazon)</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-75418434212989874342016-08-30T08:59:00.002-07:002016-08-30T09:00:30.265-07:00Winds of Vengeance Available on All Retailers!<h2 class="null" style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Winds of Vengeance Available on All Retailers!</h2>
<br />
Book four of the Refugees series is now available on all other retailers (and in print)! Winds of Vengeance begins the Vengeance Trilogy, the next chapter in the adventures of the Refugees.<br />
<br />
I don't like pestering readers for reviews, but they are very important, and I have been getting fewer of them recently, so I will just say, if you have time, a review is greatly appreciated. It really matters!<br />
<br />
<h4 class="null" style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winds-Vengeance-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees-ebook/dp/B01L2FGYSI/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Winds of Vengeance at Amazon</a></h4>
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winds-Vengeance-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees/dp/0692775536/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Winds of Vengeance Print Edition</a></h4>
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/winds-of-vengeance-jay-allan/1124476926" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Winds of Vengeance at Barnes & Noble</a></h4>
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/winds-of-vengeance" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Winds of Vengeance at Kobo</a></h4>
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1148481341" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Winds of Vengeance at iBooks</a></h4>
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
</h4>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winds-Vengeance-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees-ebook/dp/B01L2FGYSI/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Winds of Vengeance at Amazon</span></a></h4>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winds-Vengeance-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees/dp/0692775536/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Winds of Vengeance Print Edition</span></a></h4>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/winds-of-vengeance-jay-allan/1124476926" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Winds of Vengeance at Barnes & Noble</span></a></h4>
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<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/winds-of-vengeance" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Winds of Vengeance at Kobo</span></a></h4>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1148481341" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Winds of Vengeance at iBooks</span></a></h4>
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Earth Two. A new home for the survivors of the fleet, the men and women who battled against seemingly insurmountable odds to survive the assault of the First Imperium and to destroy the homicidal Regent, the artificial intelligence committed to their destruction.<br />
<br />
They have prospered in the years since their arrival, adapting the technology of the First Imperium to build a new and prosperous republic. But as the fear of the First Imperium recedes, cracks have begun to appear, conflicts looming that threaten to destroy all they have worked to achieve.<br />
<br />
There are rivalries between the clones known as “Tanks” and the “NBs,” naturally-born humans, disputes driven by envy, resentment. And on the fringe of the new society, the enhanced genetic hybrids known as “Mules” are feared by both groups, though they continue to decipher First Imperium technology for the benefit of all.<br />
<br />
But there is a far greater threat lurking in deep space, for the Regent was one of two, and its copy activated automatically upon its destruction. It has been planning, exploring, building vast fleets of new warships, and now it is ready to strike at a divided republic, to accomplish what the Regent failed to do. It is ruthlessly single-minded, existing for a single purpose. And that purpose is vengeance.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-82668873562847559552016-02-14T13:55:00.004-08:002016-02-14T14:03:48.554-08:00<h2 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Homefront Released</span></h2>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The third and final book of the Portal
Wars series is now out. If you preordered, you should have Homefront
already. If not, it is now available on all platforms.<br />
<br />
It took longer to get this one out than I'd intended, and I'm very happy
to have finally completed the story. If you haven't read Portal Wars
yet, book one, Gehenna Dawn is available at a special price of $2.99.
Book two, The Ten Thousand is available for $3.99 (reg. $4.99).</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homefront-Portal-Wars-Jay-Allan-ebook/dp/B0182RBN08/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Homefront at Amazon</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/homefront-jay-allan/1122957196?ean=2940150789814" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Homefront<span style="background-color: black;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">at</span> <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Barnes & Noble</span></span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/homefront-13" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Homefront</span> <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">at</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"> </span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Kobo</span></span></span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/homefront/id1059634310?mt=11" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Homefront</span> <span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">at</span></span> <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Apple</span></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dh7Fy36HiiE/VsD3raHkqPI/AAAAAAAAAYY/mBRYaHwABCY/s1600/homefront%2Bcover%2B-%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dh7Fy36HiiE/VsD3raHkqPI/AAAAAAAAAYY/mBRYaHwABCY/s320/homefront%2Bcover%2B-%2Bsmall.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The stunning conclusion to the Portal Wars trilogy…<br />
<br />
Jake Taylor and his cyborg soldiers have fought their way from one
Portal planet to another, moving steadily homeward with one goal in mind
- the utter destruction of the corrupt rulers who sent them to hell to
fight and die as pawns in a dishonest war, one started not by the alien
enemy, but by Earth’s own government, as a tool in its plot to seize
total power.<br />
<br />
And now, after the fighting, the suffering, the bitter losses…finally,
it is time. Time for the final invasion of Earth. Time to liberate
their homeland from the totalitarian government that controls it
utterly, to find those responsible for all that has happened…and to kill
them all.<br />
<br />
Jake and his warriors are hopelessly outnumbered, but they are
determined to battle to the last, to sacrifice all for any hope of
victory, however small. But Taylor and his soldiers are not alone in
their fight, for in Earth’s shadows, in the rotting slums and the remote
countryside, in dark corners and crumbling cellars, a spark of defiance
has survived and grown, men and women who remember liberty, and are
willing to die for the chance to regain what they lost a generation
before. They are preparing…and waiting. Waiting for the chance to
strike a blow for freedom.<br />
<br />
But those who cling to power will not give it up easily. Indeed, the
politicians who run UNGov will see Earth a charred ruin, the dead lying
in unburied heaps before they will yield their positions. The battle is
about to begin…and it will not end until only one side remains.<br />
<br />
Is Jake Taylor willing to go all the way, to fight to the end, do
whatever he must…to accept nothing less than death or total victory,
whatever the cost?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Gehenna Dawn</h2>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Book one of the Portal Wars trilogy is available at a special price of $2.99 (reg. $4.99) for a limited time only.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gehenna-Dawn-Portal-Wars-I-ebook/dp/B00GKNFZMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447791145&sr=8-1&keywords=gehenna+dawn+jay+allan" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn at Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gehenna-dawn-jay-allan/1117361015?ean=2940148928355" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn at Barnes & Noble</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/gehenna-dawn" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn at Kobo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gehenna-dawn/id776082034?mt=11" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn at Apple</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Book One of the bestselling Portal Wars series...<br />
<br />
Erastus. An unimaginable nightmare. A searing hot world, covered with
cracked, burning deserts and sweltering jungles. A hostile planet far
from Earth, it was the most hellish place men have ever tried to
survive. Called Gehenna by the condemned men sent to fight there, it
forged the few who survived its murderous battles into the strongest
soldiers in history.<br />
<br />
Jake Taylor was a New Hampshire farmboy who wanted nothing more than to
marry his girlfriend, work on the farm, and maybe one day write a great
novel. But mankind was fighting the alien Tegeri and their
bio-mechanical cyborg soldiers, and UN Central needed men…men to go to
war on hostile worlds like Erastus.<br />
<br />
Jake wasn’t given a choice, not a real one. He found himself torn from
home and family, conscripted for life and shipped to Erastus to take his
place in the battle lines, never to return. In this alien hell, Taylor
and his cybernetically-enhanced comrades fight their never-ending war
against the servants of the Tegeri, the manufactured soldiers they call
simply, the Machines.<br />
<br />
Jake survives battle after battle, rising steadily through the ranks,
giving all to the desperate fight to save Earth. But endless combat in
hell carries a cost, and Taylor can feel himself losing what little is
left of his spirit, his humanity. When he finally discovers a terrible
secret…that everything he’d believed, all he’d fought for his entire
life, was nothing but a monstrous lie, he must decide who is the real
enemy, and how far he is willing to go to right a horrific wrong.<br />
<br />
And if he does what he must to prevail against overwhelming odds and win
the final victory, will he be able to control the growing madness
inside…or will he be become the very thing he has sworn to destroy?</span><br />
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<h2 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
The Ten Thousand</h2>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Book two of the Portal Wars trilogy is available at a special price of $3.99 (reg. $4.99) for a limited time only.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKYJB9Y/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand at Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ten-thousand-jay-allan/1120346702?ean=2940150654228" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand at Barnes & Noble</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-ten-thousand-3" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand at Kobo</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gehenna-dawn/id776082034?mt=11" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand at Apple</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">General Jake Taylor and his army of
cyborg soldiers are veterans of Erastus, a planet so brutal, so hellish,
it is called Gehenna by the men sent to fight and die there. He and his
comrades battled for years in the most appalling conditions human
beings have ever endured, believing the entire time they were protecting
Earth from bloodthirsty alien monsters. But it was all a lie, the
cynical propaganda of the totalitarian regime that rules over all
mankind.<br />
<br />
The alien Tegeri, and their bio-mechanical soldiers Taylor’s men call
the Machines, were the victims, targeted by a regime that needed an
enemy to consolidate its absolute rule over mankind. For decades, men
like Taylor and his soldiers were the aggressors, unwittingly fighting
an unjust war. But when the Tegeri chose Taylor as their contact and
finally told him the horrible truth, he rallied the veterans of Erastus
for a new battle, one to free Earth from its self-appointed masters.<br />
<br />
Taylor’s soldiers begin the long campaign back to Earth, toward a
reckoning with the brutal government they are sworn to destroy. The
heart of this force is the Ten Thousand, surgically-altered
Supersoldiers, products of an experimental enhancement program, and the
first of their kind. But they are not the last, and on the planet Juno
they will meet their counterparts, the Black Corps, a force created by
Earth’s government specifically to destroy them. The Black Corps
outnumbers Taylor’s soldiers 2-1, and they have a vast advantage in
supply and logistical support. But Taylor’s men are veterans of the
furnace of Gehenna, and they don’t die easily.<br />
<br />
But there is more at stake than the freedom of humanity, greater
consequences to their fight than even Taylor can imagine. For there is
another alien race, one shrouded in legend and myth, known to the Tegeri
only as the Darkness. Long ago the Darkness made war on the Ancients,
the mighty beings that built the interstellar Portals. The Ancients are
remembered in Tegeri lore as wise and powerful…almost as gods. But they
fell ages past, destroyed utterly by the Darkness.<br />
<br />
Now that great evil is returning, and this time it will destroy not only
mankind and the Tegeri, but all the fledgling races the Ancients
planted, hundreds of young sentient species, only now grasping for
civilization.<br />
<br />
The Ancients long ago foretold that an alliance of men and Tegeri would
stand and defeat the Darkness and save the galaxy from destruction. But
if this prophecy is to come to pass, Taylor and his men must destroy
Earth’s totalitarian government and bring the dark truth to mankind,
that there is another war to fight, one vaster and more terrible than
any in human history or legend.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-78700736607050300682016-01-21T10:06:00.001-08:002016-01-21T10:06:38.308-08:00Funeral Games Released<h2 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Funeral Games Now Available</h2>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>The stunning finale to the Far Stars series is now available at all retailers.</span></span></span><br />
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=7e04fc75bf&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Funeral Games at Amazon (Kindle, print, audio)</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=d7f83f711e&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Funeral Games at Barnes & Noble (Nook, print)</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=7d273b4864&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Funeral Games at iBooks</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=5aebc629c9&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Funeral Games at Kobo</a></h4>
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<img align="none" class="CToWUd a6T" height="451" src="https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/8HXwMjTjg-ULsAirhEzNa_rYR32x6D8Vsoh4LrcgdcMu-haKgA3Jw0Qhn-M35-ToQG23zmLcha0xBG8ysSBXa28pkm3nD4RUNXGW5OQmWcGtmU5b0YjAx7E2ObQ-iO1TSFYB6fExdVW0g8Qy-1a92J38B_MkaQeqUTdjRsk=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gallery.mailchimp.com/5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442/images/fb2711b5-0780-4469-a8ec-b8aedf79f634.jpg" style="border: 0; margin: 0px; min-height: 451px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 300px;" tabindex="0" width="300" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;">The
Far Stars stands on the edge of a precipice. The forces of Governor
Vos have surged forth, conquering worlds and imposing the emperor’s
brutal rule over millions. Only one thing stands in the way of total
victory…Marshal Augustin Lucerne and his newly created Confederation.
But Vos has a simple plan to crush the Confederation: assassinate the
marshal, and manipulate his generals to fight over his legacy,
destroying each other in the process.<br />
<br />
But another threat lurks. Arkarin Blackhawk. The smuggler and
mercenary has been the marshal’s ally, working in the shadows and
unraveling Vos’ plans. The governor can only hope the mysterious
adventurer continues to resist a formal position in the Confederation.<br />
<br />
Or he can have Blackhawk assassinated too.<br />
<br />
Because with Blackhawk succeeding Lucerne, the black and gold
imperial flags will be stained red with blood. His is a dark and
dangerous past, and he is a man capable of things the honorable Lucerne
could never imagine. If he is put at the helm of the Confederation
armies, the brutal imperial general he had once been may rise again.<br />
<br />
The Far Stars are facing the final battle. The Imperials seem
unstoppable. But if Blackhawk somehow survives--and can come to grips
with the horror deep within him—he just might be able to save the Far
Stars from the iron hand of empire.</span></span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Shadow of Empire<br />
Far Stars Book One</h3>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;">If
you haven't read the Far Stars yet, now is the time. The trilogy is
complete, with all volumes available, and the whole adventure begins
with book one, Shadow of Empire. Now just $5.99!</span></span><br />
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=01e879f9dc&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=73d3bb8731&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at BN</a><br />
<strong><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=3d420ded39&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at Apple</a></strong><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=ea865f18a9&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at Kobo</a></h4>
<br />
<img align="none" class="CToWUd" height="301" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/4p44pqiTTcd1_6kXT6jrYjTdVebA2Uo-7sqLTGe75YcSEhLnTLgFb1eZ7-oDMcgSKCp3d4B_b8UC708J6lSvS6LXhadwXdw8d_-bm5pE6F4XPrx-mJQtkDhaelq9YbpRaQ35WEeCR_mQyEVslZN2T_ZYNTPwyy1pTChJSmY=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gallery.mailchimp.com/5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442/images/6fb98f3e-8a60-4d7d-9569-83c885e2bd87.jpg" style="border: 0; margin: 0px; min-height: 301px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 200px;" width="200" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;">The
first installment in the Far Star series, Shadow of Empire is a
swashbuckling space saga that introduces the daring pirate Blackhawk and
the loyal crew of the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em>, from the author of the bestselling Crimson Worlds epic…<br />
<br />
The Far Stars. The farthest reaches of human habitation in the
galaxy, a sector of a hundred occupied worlds and a dangerous expanse
full of pirates, mercenaries, and cutthroats. The sector is a rough and
rugged frontier, lying beyond the darkness of the great Void, and the
only place in all the vastness of space where men live free of the
brutal empire that rules the rest of mankind.<br />
<br />
Arkarin Blackhawk. A mercenary, a smuggler, an adventurer…a
genetically-engineered warrior with a dark and mysterious past, one that
has followed him for twenty years, that threatens his very sanity.
Blackhawk and his fiercely loyal crew, a band of misfits and
adventurers almost as capable as their grim commander, are known
throughout the darkest corners of the Far Stars, for their reliability
to their employers…and for the terrifying violence they can unleash
against those who cross them.<br />
<br />
The <em>Wolf’s Claw</em>. A battered, nearly ancient free trader,
long past its glory days. Or so it would appear on cursory inspection.
But there is more to Blackhawk’s ship than meets the eye, and below its
dented hull, behind the peeling and fading paint is a vessel equipped
with the very best equipment, military-grade engines and reactors…and a
deadly suite of well-used weapons.<br />
<br />
Marshal Augustin Lucerne. An honorable man, and one of the few
people to win Blackhawk’s unreserved respect and loyalty, Lucerne is a
warrior struggling to gain control of Celtiboria, the largest world in
the Far Stars. It is a planet torn by three centuries of battle and
strife, an endless conflict that has seen its warlords fight each other
relentlessly for power. Lucerne plans no less than to crush the
warlords and reunite this great world…and then the Far Stars themselves,
creating a Confederation strong enough resist the empire’s domination
forever.<br />
<br />
When Lucerne’s daughter Astra is kidnapped by a mysterious enemy,
Blackhawk and his people are sent to find her…and they find themselves
plunged into a series of deadly battles, desperate chases, and finally
to a world on the edge of the sector where, in the middle of a brutal
and deadly civil war they discover a terrible secret. The empire is
already in the Far Stars…</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Enemy in the Dark<br />
Far Stars Book Two</h3>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;">Book
two of the Far Stars trilogy follows the adventures of Blackhawk and
the crew of the Wolf's Claw as they are dragged deeper into the war and
intrigue of the Far Stars. Now just $5.99!</span></span><br />
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=5e7f3fb78a&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=593c8507c8&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at BN</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=6be570309f&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at Apple</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=9ae49055fa&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at Kobo</a></h4>
<br />
<img align="none" class="CToWUd" height="301" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/YMOwlkrVeLaSQ4bpYk9ESbtFSf9ABu3LIKtuMVSPwS7eJYN_gY3QWsS0KMLRsXOb88b34t-Bvt9XUw459t0yBGdo0HZPxn5pk1lvoH_kv1lHs63_iCsKRappJhbLMCfqyrfI5zrTPEvt-oCPHfJl-W7tWKwZeMnYHCWF-3c=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gallery.mailchimp.com/5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442/images/2540660a-a611-4c68-8deb-7847b5cb5811.jpg" style="border: 0; margin: 0px; min-height: 301px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 200px;" width="200" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;">Successfully completing their mission to rescue Marshal Augustin Lucerne’s daughter, Astra, the crew of the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em>
are enjoying some well-deserved rest—all, that is, except Blackhawk.
The space gun for hire cannot escape Lucerne’s relentless pleas for help
against growing imperial control in the Far Stars. Blackhawk deeply
respects his friend, but he fears the power Lucerne offers will lead him
back to his dark old ways.<br />
<br />
His resistance crumbles, however, when Lucerne presents evidence that
the imperial governor has been manipulating conflicts throughout the
Far Stars. Convinced of the deadly danger of imperial domination,
Blackhawk and his crew board the <em>Wolf’s Claw </em>once more and set
out to gather intelligence on the Empire’s movements—the proof Lucerne
needs to unite the fractured and feuding worlds of the Far Stars into
single power bloc capable of resisting imperial aggression.<br />
<br />
But Blackhawk discovers more than he expected, that the imperial
governor’s machinations are far reaching—and threaten the independence
of every world this side of the Void. A man running from a dark past
who answers only to himself, Blackhawk begins to realize he can no
longer remain on the sidelines while the Far Stars sector fights for its
freedom</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-67777889042486092892016-01-15T11:53:00.001-08:002016-01-15T11:53:04.907-08:00Shadow of Empire Now $5.99<h2 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Shadow of Empire Now $5.99</h2>
<br />
I am pleased to announce that books one and two of the Far Stars series have had their prices reduced to $5.99. Harper Voyager has responded to my request for lower pricing, more in line with my other books.<br />
<br />The Far Stars is a new universe, one in which I will be writing many
additional books beyond this trilogy. So I am thrilled that the
publisher has reset the price closer to my usual levels. If
you've been considering reading Shadow of Empire, but you have not purchased because of the price, you may want to take a second look. <br />
<br />
If you decide to try the Far Stars series, I hope you enjoy it. I had a great time writing it, and my editor and the rest of the staff at Voyager were awesome to work with.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=d04abbe89c&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=613c177104&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<strong><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=00f83be51a&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at Apple</a></strong><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=e0b8c6a761&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Shadow</span></span> <span>of</span> <span><span>Empire</span></span> at Kobo</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=b7eb415836&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=a2c0cb5fca&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=42fdecce96&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at Apple</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=929276c4f9&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span><span>Enemy</span></span> in <span>the</span> <span><span>Dark</span></span> at Kobo</a></h4>
<br />
<br />
The first installment in the Far Star series, Shadow of Empire is a
swashbuckling space saga that introduces the daring pirate Blackhawk and
the loyal crew of the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em>, from the author of the bestselling Crimson Worlds epic.<br />
<br />
The Far Stars. The farthest reaches of human habitation in the galaxy, a
sector of a hundred occupied worlds and a dangerous expanse of space
full of pirates, mercenaries, and cutthroats. The sector is a rough and
rugged frontier, lying beyond the darkness of the great Void, and the
only place in all the vastness of space where men live free of the
brutal empire that rules the rest of mankind.<br />
<br />
Arkarin Blackhawk. A mercenary, an adventurer…a genetically-engineered
warrior with a dark and mysterious past, one that has followed him for
twenty years, that threatens his very sanity. Blackhawk and his
fiercely loyal crew, a band of misfits and adventurers almost as capable
as their commander, are known throughout the darkest corners of the Far
Stars, for their reliability to their employers…and for the terrifying
violence they can unleash against those who cross them.<br />
<br />
The <em>Wolf’s Claw</em>. A battered, nearly ancient free trader, long
past its glory days. Or so it would appear on cursory inspection. But
there is more to Blackhawk’s ship than meets the eye, and below its
dented hull, behind the peeling and fading paint is a vessel equipped
with the very best equipment, military-grade engines and reactors…and a
deadly suite of weapons.<br />
<br />
Marshal Augustin Lucerne. An honorable man, and one of the few people
to win Blackhawk’s unreserved respect and loyalty, Lucerne is a warrior
struggling to unite Celtiboria, the largest world in the Far Stars, and a
planet torn by three centuries of battle and strife as its warlords
fight each other for power. Lucerne plans no less than to unite this
great world, and then the Far Stars themselves, creating a Confederation
strong enough resist the empire’s domination forever.<br />
<br />
When Lucerne’s daughter Astra is kidnapped, Blackhawk and his people are
sent to find her…and they find themselves plunged into a series of
deadly battles, desperate chases, and finally to a world on the edge of
the sector where, in the middle of a deadly civil war they discover a
terrible secret. The empire is already in the Far Stars…Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-27658360400238431012015-12-01T07:27:00.000-08:002015-12-01T07:27:02.880-08:00<h3 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
Far Stars II - Enemy in the Dark Released</h3>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am pleased to announce that the second book of the Far Stars series, Enemy in the Dark, is now available on all retailers. The Far Stars is my first trilogy for HarperCollins Voyager, and it concludes with Book III, Funeral Games, which will be released on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2064717463" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">January 19</span></span>. I know the Harper books are priced a bit higher than my other works, but I really feel they are some of the best things I've written, and I am grateful to those who have given the series a try.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=51a3d71a98&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Enemy</span> in the <span>Dark</span> at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=ab26c8b7f4&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Enemy</span> in the <span>Dark</span> at Barnes and Noble</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=f747932de9&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Enemy</span> in the <span>Dark</span> at Apple</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=e9c3d4d9f1&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Enemy</span> in the <span>Dark</span> at Kobo</a><br /> <br />
<div style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second book in the Far Star series follows Blackhawk and the crew of the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em> as they are gradually (and unwillingly) drawn more deeply into Marshal Lucerne’s campaign to form a united power bloc in the Far Stars to resist imperial encroachment.</span></div>
<div style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Successfully completing their mission to rescue Marshal Augustin Lucerne’s daughter, Astra, the crew of the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em> are enjoying some well-deserved rest—all, that is, except Blackhawk. The space gun for hire cannot escape Lucerne’s relentless pleas for help against growing imperial control in the Far Stars. While Blackhawk deeply respects his friend, he fears that the power Lucerne offers will lead him back to his old dark ways.</span></div>
<div style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His resistance crumbles, however, when Lucerne presents evidence that the imperial governor has been manipulating the conflicts in the Far Stars. Convinced of the deadly danger of imperial domination, Blackhawk and his crew board the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em> once more and set out to gather intelligence on the Empire’s movements—the proof Lucerne needs to unite the fractured and feuding worlds of the Far Stars into single power bloc capable of resisting imperial aggression. But deep in the sparsely populated territory of the Far Stars, he discovers that the imperial governor’s machinations are far reaching—and threaten the independence of every world this side of the Void.</span></div>
<div style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">A man seemingly running from himself, Blackhawk is beginning to realize he can no longer remain a prisoner to his own past while the future of the Far Stars is in jeopardy.</span></span><br /><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">If you haven't read Book I of the Far Stars (Shadow of Empire), now is the time!</span></strong></span><br /><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=cb9eda887f&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Shadow</span> of <span>Empire</span> at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=5863b032b0&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Shadow</span> of <span>Empire</span> at Barnes & Noble</a><br /><strong><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=3b322f0f3c&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Shadow</span> of <span>Empire</span> at Apple</a></strong><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=06105b3741&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Shadow</span> of <span>Empire</span> at Kobo</a><br /><br /> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The first installment in the Far Star series, a swashbuckling space saga that introduces the daring pirate Blackhawk and the loyal crew of the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em>, from the author of the bestselling Crimson Worlds epic.<br /><br /> Smuggler and mercenary Arkarin Blackhawk and the crew of the ship <em>Wolf’s Claw</em> are freelance adventurers who live on the fringe of human society in the Far Stars, a remote cluster of inhabited worlds on the edge of known space…and the only place humanity lives outside the reach of the brutal empire that rules the rest of mankind. A veteran fighter as deadly with a blade as he is with a gun, Blackhawk is a man haunted by a dark past. Even his cynicism cannot banish the guilt and pain that threaten his very sanity.</span></span><br /> <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sent to rescue the kidnapped daughter of his longtime friend Marshal Augustin Lucerne, Blackhawk and his crew find themselves drawn into one deadly fight after another. When the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em> is damaged, they are forced to land on a remote planet ravaged by civil war. Pulled unwillingly into the conflict, they uncover disturbing information about secret imperial involvement that could upset Lucerne’s plans for the Far Stars.<br /><br /> For the Marshal is determined to forge a Far Stars Confederation powerful enough to eliminate all imperial influence and threats in the sector. He needs a skilled warrior like Blackhawk on his side, but the mercenary, plagued by dark memories from the past, refuses to join the cause. All too soon, though, he and his crew will have to take a stand.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-19139419801518553302015-11-19T10:06:00.004-08:002015-11-19T10:06:54.432-08:00Homefront (Portal Wars III)<h3 class="null" style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
Homefront (Portal Wars Book III) Now Available for Preorder</h3>
<br />
I'm extremely excited to announce the upcoming release of the third book
in the Portal Wars trilogy. I know a lot of you have been waiting for
this book for a long time (I should have had it out much sooner...I'm
sorry!), and I'm excited to finally give some details and announce a
release date. Homefront will be out February 9, 2016, and it is
available <strong>now </strong>for preorder! I'm really excited about it, and I think it is the best of the series to date.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homefront-Portal-Wars-Jay-Allan-ebook/dp/B0182RBN08/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1447791219&sr=1-1&keywords=homefront+jay+allan" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Homefront Preorder at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692582347" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Homefront Print Edition</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/homefront-jay-allan/1122957196?ean=2940150789814" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Homefront Preorder at Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/homefront-13" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Homefront Preorder at Kobo</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/homefront/id1059634310?mt=11" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Homefront Preorder at Apple</a><br />
<br />
The stunning conclusion to the Portal Wars trilogy…<br />
<br />
Jake Taylor and his cyborg soldiers have fought their way from one
Portal planet to another, moving steadily homeward with one goal in mind
- the utter destruction of the corrupt rulers who sent them to hell to
fight and die as pawns in a dishonest war, one started not by the alien
enemy, but by Earth’s own government, as a tool in its plot to seize
total power.<br />
<br />
And now, after the fighting, the suffering, the bitter losses…finally,
it is time. Time for the final invasion of Earth. Time to liberate
their homeland from the totalitarian government that controls it
utterly, to find those responsible for all that has happened…and to kill
them all.<br />
<br />
Jake and his warriors are hopelessly outnumbered, but they are
determined to battle to the last, to sacrifice all for any hope of
victory, however small. But Taylor and his soldiers are not alone in
their fight, for in Earth’s shadows, in the rotting slums and the remote
countryside, in dark corners and crumbling cellars, a spark of defiance
has survived and grown, men and women who remember liberty, and are
willing to die for the chance to regain what they lost a generation
before. They are preparing…and waiting. Waiting for the chance to
strike a blow for freedom.<br />
<br />
But those who cling to power will not give it up easily. Indeed, the
politicians who run UNGov will see Earth a charred ruin, the dead lying
in unburied heaps before they will yield their positions. The battle is
about to begin…and it will not end until only one side remains.<br />
<br />
Is Jake Taylor willing to go all the way, to fight to the end, do
whatever he must…to accept nothing less than death or total victory,
whatever the cost?<br />
<br />
For those of you who haven't read the Portal Wars books, it is a better deal now than ever. For a
limited time, Gehenna Dawn, book one, is $2.99 (40% off) and The Ten
Thousand (book two) is $3.99 (20% off).<br />
<br />
Amazon - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gehenna-Dawn-Portal-Wars-I-ebook/dp/B00GKNFZMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447791145&sr=8-1&keywords=gehenna+dawn+jay+allan" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKYJB9Y/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand</a><br />
Barnes & Noble - <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gehenna-dawn-jay-allan/1117361015?ean=2940148928355" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ten-thousand-jay-allan/1120346702?ean=2940150654228" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand</a><br />
Kobo - <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/gehenna-dawn" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn</a> | <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-ten-thousand-3" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand</a><br />
Apple - <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gehenna-dawn/id776082034?mt=11" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Gehenna Dawn</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gehenna-dawn/id776082034?mt=11" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #656565; font-weight: normal; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-57983094576569271292015-11-03T09:14:00.000-08:002015-11-03T09:14:49.540-08:00Shadow of Empire Released TodayShadow of Empire, the first book of my new Far Stars trilogy, is available today in both ebook format (at all retailers) and in bookstores too. The Far Stars is an epic space opera, with pirates, smugglers, heroes, villains...even an evil empire. <br />
<br />
Shadow of Empire is my first book with Harper Voyager, and I would be sorely remiss if I didn't give them a shout out here. I truly enjoyed working with everyone on my team there, and I don't think the Far Stars books would be what they are without all their input and hard work. And I think this trilogy is the best thing I've written (yet).<br />
<br />
Voyager worked with me on something else I wanted to do too. I know you all hate waiting for the next book in a series, so we've arranged to make the trilogy available through monthly releases. So, if you like Shadow of Empire, you'll be able to get book two, Enemy in the Dark, on December 1. And the finale, Funeral Games, on January 19. No long waits, no uncertain release dates.<br />
<br />
Lastly, Shadow of Empire is out now not only in print and ebook, but also in audio (downloadable and CD both available). So, for you audio fans out there, no waiting to get the book in your chosen format.<br />
<br />
As always, feel free to let me know what you think. I always reply to emails you send me (and many of you still seem surprised when I do!).<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Empire-Stars-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00TE98BNQ/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Empire-Stars-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00TE98BNQ/" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-of-empire-jay-allan/1121191648" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire at Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shadow-of-empire/id965941059?mt=11" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire at Apple</a><br />
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/shadow-of-empire" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire at Kobo</a><br />
<br />
Also available in your local bookstore.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shadow of Empire</span><br />
<br />
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<br />
The first installment in the Far Star series, a swashbuckling space saga
that introduces the daring pirate Blackhawk and the loyal crew of the <em>Wolf’s
Claw</em>, from the author of the bestselling Crimson Worlds epic.<br />
<br />
Smuggler and mercenary Arkarin Blackhawk and the crew of the ship <em>Wolf’s
Claw</em> are freelance adventurers who live on the fringe of human society in
the Far Stars, a remote cluster of inhabited worlds on the edge of known
space…and the only place humanity lives outside the reach of the brutal empire
that rules the rest of mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
veteran fighter as deadly with a blade as he is with a gun, Blackhawk is a man
haunted by a dark past. Even his cynicism cannot banish the guilt and pain that
threaten his very sanity.<br />
<br />
Sent to rescue the kidnapped daughter of his longtime friend Marshal
Augustin Lucerne, Blackhawk and his crew find themselves drawn into one deadly
fight after another. When the <em>Wolf’s Claw</em> is damaged, they are forced
to land on a remote planet ravaged by civil war. Pulled unwillingly into the
conflict, they uncover disturbing information about secret imperial involvement
that could upset Lucerne’s plans for the Far Stars.<br />
<br />
For the Marshal is determined to forge a Far Stars Confederation powerful
enough to eliminate all imperial influence and threats in the sector. He needs
a skilled warrior like Blackhawk on his side, but the mercenary, plagued by
dark memories from the past, refuses to join the cause. All too soon, though,
he and his crew will have to take a stand.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-5515776540279373202015-10-18T10:11:00.001-07:002015-10-18T10:11:16.546-07:00Shadows of the Gods (Refugees Book II) AvailableShadows of the Gods is available at all retailers in both print and ebook. The audiobook is in development by Audible, and it will be available soon.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=f6535a10c5&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shadows of the Gods on Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=572b50b564&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shadows of the Gods on Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=9251dc2138&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shadows of the Gods on Kobo</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=221fa31e35&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shadows of the Gods on iBooks</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=ea37c333e8&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shadows of the Gods in Print</a><br />
<br />
<br />
The Fleet Fights On…<br />
<br />
Deeper. Farther into the black unknown of space. There is no other
path, no way for the lost to go, save forward. Admiral Terrance
Compton’s fleet is cut off from Earth, deep in the heart of the enemy
First Imperium. A third of his people have died in the year his force
had been fleeing from its enemies, but he is as determined as ever to
find a new home for his people, a way to save his wartorn fleet<br />
<br />
His people are running low on everything—food, ammunition, fuel, and the
brutal enemy is in relentless pursuit, marshaling all its vast
resources to track down and destroy the human refugees. Compton must
find a way to replenish his dwindling stores, while avoiding the massive
enemy forces hunting his fleet from system to system.<br />
<br />
Compton seeks an escape, a refuge for his exhausted spacers from the
relentless pursuit of their enemies. But they are about to find far
more than that, as they discover the truth of the distant past, and a
glimpse of a new future that lies before them. What they learn will
shake all they believe…and force them to reconsider who they are. And
what victory would look like.<br />
<br />
The fight has just begun…and the stakes are even higher than any of them had imagined.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you haven't read Refugees Book I: Into the Darkness yet, now is the time. The first
book in the new Refugees series has almost one hundred reviews on Amazon
and a 4.7 cumulative rating. It is available now in print, ebook, and
audiobook formats. Audible did the audiobook, and I can't believe how
well it came out!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=f802dee57e&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Amazon (kindle, print, audio)</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=f4095443a5&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=d4c20f9655&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Kobo</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=ea991371d7&e=606a86a7fc" style="color: #656565; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at iBooks</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-10244859133368051122015-09-15T08:32:00.001-07:002015-09-15T08:32:11.143-07:00Into the Darkness Audiobook Available<span class="im"></span><br />
<h2 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30px; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
Into the Darkness now Available on Audio!</h2>
<br />
Book One of the Crimson Worlds Refugees series is now available on
audiobook. Into the Darkness is rated 4.8 stars on Amazon, and the
audio version has been published by Audible. I'm really excited about
the narrator and the quality of this edition. If you want to try an
audiobook, this is the one.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees/dp/B011D557JY/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" style="color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span>Into the Darkness Audiobook<br />
<br />
Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> at Amazon (Kindle & Print)</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=01d0da7e22&e=e8bc4ecd47" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span>Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> at BN</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=24ba9fcce4&e=e8bc4ecd47" style="color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span>Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> at Apple</a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=dc24be2898&e=e8bc4ecd47" style="color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span>Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> at Kobo</a><br />
<br />
Terrence Compton is one of Earth’s greatest admirals, a warrior almost
without equal. Alongside his oldest friend and brilliant colleague,
Augustus Garret, he and his forces saved Earth from invasion by the
robotic legions of the First Imperium’s insane computer Regent.<br />
<br />
There is just one problem. The First Imperium was held back by the
disruption of the sole warp gate connecting the two domains…and Compton
and 300 of his ships are trapped on the wrong side, surrounded by the
Regent’s vast fleets and cut off from Earth.<br />
<br />
Pursued by their deadly enemy, Compton and his fleet must flee into the
darkness of unexplored space, seeking safety…and ultimately a new home.
Their journey will take them deep into the heart of the First Imperium,
to the silent, windswept worlds where the ancient race that built the
Regent once dwelled…and uncover the lost secrets of its disappearance
500,000 years ago.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-73080443663968468582015-08-18T07:02:00.001-07:002015-08-18T07:02:20.647-07:00The Prisoner of Eldaron Now AvailableThe Prisoner of Eldaron is the second book in the Crimson Worlds Successors series. It was supposed to be out the last week of July, but it turned out to be by far the longest book I've ever written. So it's a couple weeks late, but in return, you get a book that is almost two-thirds longer than MERCS (book one of the series). And if you haven't read MERCS yet, it's on sale for the next two days (just 99 cents).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prisoner-Eldaron-Crimson-Worlds-Successors-ebook/dp/B0140KJ75Y/" target="_blank">Prisoner of Eldaron at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-prisoner-of-eldaron-jay-allan/1122534963?ean=2940151207409" target="_blank">Prisoner of Eldaron at Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-prisoner-of-eldaron" target="_blank">Prisoner of Eldaron at Kobo</a><br />
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The Apple ebook and print version are not live yet. I will update this post when they are.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Search for Erik Cain…</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Superpowers of Earth have fought their final war,
leaving Earth a devastated ruin, populated only by scattered groups of
survivors living in primitive squalor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out
in space, however, humanity moves forward, and the former colonies of Earth’s
dead nations are now free from the yoke of the despotic governments that had long
ruled over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For many, it is their
first taste of liberty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a thousand
free worlds, varying enormously in wealth and power, cannot long exist in
peace, and soon they begin to fight, to seek to bend their neighbors to their
wills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Darius Cain is the commander of the Black Eagles, the
most feared and renowned of all the mercenary companies that fight the colonies’
wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His veteran warriors have fought
dozens of battles, and they have never met their equals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wealthiest colonies compete to hire the Eagles,
for contracting with Cain’s warriors is the surest guarantee of victory in any
dispute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But there is another power, one whose very existence has
been the most closely-guarded secret in human history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Triumvirate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For decades, it has operated in the shadows,
interfering secretly in the affairs of the former colonies while steadily building
an invincible war machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
Triumvirate has come to fear the Black Eagles, and the decision has been
made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darius Cain’s private army must be
destroyed utterly before the final invasion of human space can begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A message reaches the Black Eagles’ base, with evidence
that the father he’d thought long dead might still be alive, a captive of the
shadowy enemy, held on a planet called Eldaron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Darius Cain is skeptical, a man slow to believe what he is told without incontrovertible
proof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Cain didn’t build the
greatest military force in human space by being cautious or timid…and even the
slightest chance his father was alive compelled his course of action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The evidence points to a world on the edge of
human space, a highly-developed planet called Eldaron, an insular world, ruled
by a dictator who calls himself the Tyrant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Darius knows he is walking into a trap, but he has no
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will free the prisoner of
Eldaron…or he will extract a vengeance beyond anything the Eldari can imagine
in their worst nightmares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<h3>
MERCS (Successors I) on Sale Until Wednesday</h3>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/MERCS-Crimson-Successors-Jay-Allan-ebook/dp/B00R3N0X0E/" target="_blank">MERCS at Amazon (Kindle, print, & audio)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mercs-jay-allan/1120916361" target="_blank">MERCS at Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/mercs-2" target="_blank">MERCS at Kobo</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mercs/id951927011?mt=11" target="_blank">MERCS at Apple</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-74750807610756988352015-08-12T16:37:00.002-07:002015-08-12T16:37:29.066-07:00MERCS on saleCrimson Worlds Successors I: MERCS is on sale this week for 99 cents at all retailers. Book II, The Prisoner of Eldaron will be out Monday, August 17.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-18100633024304384752015-08-06T14:19:00.000-07:002015-08-06T14:19:08.122-07:00The Prisoner of EldaronThe Prisoner of Eldaron, Successors Book II, will be out next week. I'd originally planned to release it the last week of July, but at the last minute, I decided there was more story to tell. While I write long series usually, I also try to make each book a self-contained story while also advancing the series plot. So, it's going to end up being two weeks later than I'd hoped, but also about 30,000 words longer (a good third longer than I'd expected), and also the longest book I've put out to date.<br />
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I've gotten some emails from you guys, and I just wanted to say I appreciate your interest in the book, and I hope you all enjoy it when it is out. I feel it is a much better book for the additions.<br />
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I will, as usual, announce when it is live...here, on the mailing list, and on twitter.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-39411547848258897152015-07-30T21:23:00.001-07:002015-07-30T21:32:59.820-07:00<h2>
Introducing the Far Stars Series...</h2>
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I'm excited to announce my first series to be published by HarperCollins Voyager. The Far Stars series is something new and completely different, a trilogy I've been working on for a long time, and one I'm thrilled to see so close to release. I appreciate each and every one of you who read my books...you are the best fans any writer could hope to have. I think the Far Stars is the best thing I have written (and I can't wait until the books are released to see how you all feel). And if you all enjoy the series as much as I hope you will, I have two further trilogies planned as follow ups. I know you all hate to wait for the next book in each series, so I made sure you wouldn't have to this time. All three books are finished, and HarperCollins will be releasing them in consecutive months. Book one, Shadow of Empire, will be released on November 3, 2015. Book two, Enemy in the Dark will be out on December 1, 2015, and book three, Funeral Games will be launched on January 19, 2016. All volumes are currently available for preorder in both ebook and print formats.<br />
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<h3>
Shadow of Empire (Far Stars Book One)</h3>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Empire-Stars-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00TE98BNQ/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire Amazon Preorder</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-of-empire-jay-allan/1121191648" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire Barnes and Noble Preorder</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shadow-of-empire/id965941059?mt=11" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire Apple Preorder</a><br />
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/shadow-of-empire" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Shadow of Empire Kobo Preorder</a></span></span>
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The first installment in the Far Star series, a swashbuckling space saga that introduces the daring pirate Blackhawk and the loyal crew of the Wolf’s Claw, from the author of the bestselling Crimson Worlds saga.<br />
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Smuggler and mercenary Arkarin Blackhawk and the crew of the ship Wolf’s Claw are freelance adventurers who live on the fringe of human society in the Far Stars. A veteran fighter as deadly with a blade as he is with a gun, Blackhawk is a man haunted by a dark past. Even his cynicism cannot banish the guilt and pain that threaten his sanity.<br />
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Sent to rescue the kidnapped daughter of his longtime friend Marshal Augustin Lucerne, Blackhawk and his crew find themselves drawn into one deadly fight after another. When the Wolf’s Claw is damaged, they are forced to land on a remote planet ravaged by civil war. Pulled unwittingly into the conflict, they uncover disturbing information about secret imperial involvement that could upset Lucerne's carefully laid plans.<br />
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For the Marshal is determined to forge a Far Stars Confederation powerful enough to eliminate all imperial influence and threats in the sector. He needs a skilled warrior like Blackhawk on his side, but the mercenary, plagued by dark memories from the past, refuses to join the cause. All too soon, though, he and his crew will have to take a stand.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-36664035138491197542015-07-07T11:15:00.003-07:002015-07-07T11:15:36.713-07:00MERCS now out in audio!MERCS is now out on audiobook, published by Audible. They will be doing the entire Successors series as well as the Refugees series.<br />
<br />
I'm very excited at the quality of the work and the professionalism of the people at Audible. I signed with them to offer the very best quality audiobooks of my titles, and I'm excited at this first release.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YQEF4GQ">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YQEF4GQ</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-78856172936842330512015-06-25T17:42:00.001-07:002015-06-25T17:42:52.343-07:00Into the Darkness Released<span style="font-size: 18px;">Into the Darkness (Crimson Worlds Refugees I) Now Available!</span><br />
<br />
I know a lot of you preordered Into the Darkness, and if you did, thank you for your support and you should already have it. I hope you enjoy it. I have the best readers, and I'm thankful for every one of you.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you didn't preorder and would like to read this new series, it is now available everywhere. Book 2 of the series (Shadow of the Gods) will be out late this summer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees-ebook/dp/B00R3N0X2M/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-the-darkness-jay-allan/1120916369" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at BN</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id951926383" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Apple</a><br />
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/into-the-darkness-27" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Kobo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-Jay-Allan/dp/0692354824/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness Print Edition</a><br />
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Terrence Compton is one of Earth’s greatest admirals, a warrior almost without equal. Alongside his oldest friend and brilliant colleague, Augustus Garret, he and his forces have saved Earth from invasion by the genocidal robotic legions of the ancient First Imperium’s insane computer Regent.<br />
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There is just one problem. The First Imperium was held back not by military victory, but by the disruption of the sole warp gate connecting the two domains…and Compton and 300 of his ships are trapped on the wrong side, surrounded by the Regent’s vast fleets and cut off from Earth.<br />
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Pursued by their deadly enemy, Compton and his fleet must flee into the vast and unknown darkness of unexplored space, in search of safety, fuel, supplies…and ultimately a new home.<br />
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The great admiral knows the one thing his people cannot do is seek a way back, a trail the enemy could follow to Earth. He is determined to prevent that from happening, even if the cost is dissension and mutiny.<br />
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Their journey will take Compton and his people deep into the heart of the First Imperium, to the silent, windswept worlds where the ancient race that built the Regent once dwelled…and uncover the lost secrets of that great civilization’s mysterious fall 500,000 years ago.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">MERCS Audio Edition Available for Preorder</span><br />
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MERCS, the first book in the Crimson Worlds series is now available, and the reviews are in! A 4.6 star average at Amazon! The series, which can be read with or without reading the initial Crimson Worlds series, is set 30 years after the final events of The Fall. Successors II, The Prisoner of Eldaron, will be released on July 30.<br />
<br />
The audiobook, which many had asked me about, is being published by Audible, and it will be available July 7, 2015. It is available right now for preorder.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mercs-Crimson-Worlds-Successors-Book/dp/B00YQEF4GQ/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS Audiobook Preorder</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=f6523527ea&e=1047854da4" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #606060;"><span class="il">MERCS</span></span><span style="color: #606060;"> at Amazon</span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=5653591720&e=1047854da4" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #606060;"><span class="il">MERCS</span></span><span style="color: #606060;"> at BN</span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=1840dac2d6&e=1047854da4" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #606060;"><span class="il">MERCS</span></span><span style="color: #606060;"> at Apple</span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=a3dbd55340&e=1047854da4" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #606060;"><span class="il">MERCS</span></span><span style="color: #606060;"> at KOBO</span></span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=3b5bd52e99&e=1047854da4" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #606060;"><span class="il">MERCS</span></span><span style="color: #606060;"> Print Edition</span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Earth has been a scarred ruin for three decades, its scattered people struggling to survive amid the poisoned and radioactive wreckage of the final war between its despotic Superpowers. While the inhabitants of Earth struggle to crawl out of the new dark age, out on the frontier, on a thousand worlds, mankind thrives and grows, building new civilizations and looking boldly to the future. But man has never been able to live in peace, and even Earth’s sad fate has failed to slow the call to war.<br /> <br /> Most of the colonies lack the industry and economic power to sustain their own armies and navies, and they look to the <span class="il">mercenaries</span> of the Great Companies for aid in time of war. These futuristic condottiere contract themselves to the highest bidder, and the mightiest strike fear into the hearts of all who oppose them.<br /> <br /> Darius Cain is the leader of the Black Eagles, the most renowned of all the Companies. A military genius, he has led his undefeated warriors from victory to victory. The Eagles command the highest rates of any of the Companies, and leaders bankrupt their worlds to pay the price.<br /> <br /> But amid the ruins of Earth and on planets all across occupied space there are signs of a greater darkness, a force working in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, to launch a final war to reduce all mankind to slavery.<br /> <br /> As Cain slowly uncovers the truth, he must forge an alliance among old enemies, the other Companies his men have fought for years…and the twin brother he hasn’t seen in a decade.<br /> <br /> The Crimson Worlds are about to explode into a war that may be mankind’s last.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-84544525489186196912015-05-04T07:53:00.000-07:002015-05-04T07:59:54.693-07:00Sneak Peak - Chapter One of Into the Darkness<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Impact;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small;">Into the Darkness is the first book of the Crimson Worlds Refugees series. It is available now for presale, and is scheduled for release June 23. There is a good chance the release date will be moved up, possibly to the first week of June.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees-ebook/dp/B00R3N0X2M/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-the-darkness-jay-allan/1120916369" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id951926383" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Apple</a><br />
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/into-the-darkness-27" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Kobo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-Jay-Allan/dp/0692354824/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness Print Edition</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Impact;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Impact;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Impact;">Chapter One</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Impact;">Excerpt from Admiral Compton’s Final Communique to
Augustus Garret:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Book;">You have seen the scanning reports, as I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know there is no other option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you, perhaps better than anyone else,
and I understand how this will affect you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a crushing burden, and yet that doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have no choice, my old friend, and you
know it as well as I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not just
victory that hangs in the balance, not even the survival of the fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing less than the continued existence of
the human race rests upon your actions in the next few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you allow this enemy force to get through
the warp gate and into the X1 system, we will never stop them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will destroy every planet in Occupied
Space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they are finished, there
will be nothing but the unburied dead to mark that men had ever lived, silent
graveyards where once prosperous worlds had been.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Book;">You have been more than a friend to me, Augustus…more than a brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have laughed, supported each other, gone
to war together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea, when I
left home for the Naval Academy all those years ago, that I would find a friend
like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had quite a run together,
Admiral Garret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been my great honor
and pleasure to be at your side…to watch your back, as you have watched mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Book;">Though I know it is pointless, I will say this anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not blame yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do not have a choice in this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do your duty, as you always have, and then
step boldly into the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am asking
you to do this, to save mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mourn
the lost, as we always have, but think of me—and all those who serve with me—no
differently than the thousands who have died in our many battles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drink a toast to me and remember friendship
fondly, shed a tear if you must…but do not spend the rest of your life
tormenting yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my final
request of you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Book;">Go now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will have to move ahead
without me, my comrade, bear the burdens alone that we would have shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry I won’t be there to help you face
the next battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we both know
there will be another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There always
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know you will be ready, that
you will stand again in the breach and do what you must. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you have done all your life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Book;">There is one last thing I ask of you, Augustus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look after Elizabeth for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to ease her pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to ask you to tell her I love
her, that I always have, but that would be selfish of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am gone to her, and I know I shall never
see her again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have her forget
me, move forward…to have a happy life, and not to wallow in misery over what
can never be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my solace to imagine
that happiness without me waits in her future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Book;">You are the best, most honorable man I’ve ever known, Augustus Garret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodbye, my friend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Impact;">AS Midway</span></div>
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Impact;">Deep in System X2</span></div>
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Impact;">The Fleet:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>242
ships, 48,371 crew<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“You are clear to land in Bay B, Admiral Hurley.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a strange sound to the launch bay
coordinator’s voice, not fear exactly, but something cold, almost dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Acknowledged,” Hurley replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew, of course, what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d seen the enemy ships on her own
scanners, hundreds of them, more than the entire massed fleets of humanity
could hope to defeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also knew what
would happen next, what <span class="Heading2Char"><em>had</em></span> to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admiral Garret would detonate the massive
bomb General Cain and Dr. Hofstader had found—and if the CEL scientist was as
brilliant as everyone said, the warp gate leading back to X1, to human space, would
be disrupted for several centuries, an impassible obstacle instead of an open pathway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">It was an ideal way to end the war, cutting off the massive
First Imperium forces from human space without a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there was one problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway</em></span>—and
the rest of Compton’s fleet, half of humanity’s combined naval strength—was on
the opposite side of the system, light hours from the Sigma 4 gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no way they could get back, not
before the First Imperium forces were able to transit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Hurley knew that was something Admiral
Garret simply could not allow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter
what the cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She understood the tone in the coordinator’s voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word had to be spreading through the
fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were facing almost certain
death, and everyone had to accept that in their own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was confident the Alliance spacers, at
least, would stay at their posts and go down fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew damned well she would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her fighters had been savaged in the combat,
but they weren’t done yet, not by a long shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And as soon as they could refuel and rearm, she intended to lead them
back into the fray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Bring us in, Commander.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hurley glanced over at her pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Commander Wilder had been under instructions from Admiral Garret to keep
Hurley away from the worst of the fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Greta Hurley had no peers in the field of fighter-bomber tactics, and
Garret knew she tended to put herself in the forefront of her squadrons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been determined to keep his aggressive
fighter commander from getting herself killed, and knowing how stubborn Hurley
was, he’d figured a secret pact with her pilot seemed the likeliest way to
achieve success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wilder had made a noble
effort, but in the end Hurley—and events—had prevailed, and Wilder had joined his
charge in taking their fighter right into the maw of an enemy battleship—and
delivering the killing blow to the behemoth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, Admiral,” the pilot replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Forty-five seconds to landing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had about 240 fighters left, less than
half of what she had led into battle just the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was still a potent force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They might not have any real hope of
survival, but she silently vowed that her people would sell their lives dearly
to the enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She looked through the forward cockpit, to the hulking form
of <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway</em></span> beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton’s flagship was one of the greatest
machines of war ever constructed by man, two kilometers of sleek hull,
bristling with weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until the First
Imperium invasion, mankind had considered itself strong and technologically
advanced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now they were fighting an
enemy thousands of years ahead of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Courage and innovation had bridged that gap, at least in the battles on
the Line, allowing the outmatched humans to not only stem the enemy tide, but
to drive the First Imperium fleets back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But those victories had only stirred the enemy to bring forth its full
strength, and now humanity was faced with the real power of their enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Against the massive array now approaching, even
a battlewagon like <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway</em></span> seemed weak and
small.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The ship moved steadily toward a large opening in <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway’s</em></span> hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hurley could see tiny shapes moving around the bay, technicians clad in
environmental suits and small tractors moving parts and supplies toward the
fighters sitting in their cradles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
landing bay during a battle was a busy place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took a lot of support to keep her birds in space fighting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She felt the deceleration as the fighter slowed
gradually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Landings could sometimes be a
rough affair but not with a pilot like Commander Wilder at the controls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurley had been a great pilot herself, and a
feared Ace who had racked up a still unmatched number of kills in the days
before her advancing rank took her out of the direct fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she had to admit to herself, Wilder was
even better than she had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked
the controls of the fighter like they were extensions of his own body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now he dropped the craft onto the metal
floor of the bay so softly, she could barely tell they had landed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Your ship is the last one, Admiral,” the coordinator’s
voice said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re closing the bay
doors, so if you wait a minute, we’ll have the deck pressurized.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Understood, Commander.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She reached around and unhooked her harness, turning toward Wilder as
she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That was a hell of a landing,
Commander.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She paused for an instant
then added, “In fact, the entire battle was an example of magnificent
piloting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurley lived and breathed
fighter-bomber tactics, and her praise was highly sought after among her pilots
and crews.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Thank you, Admiral.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She could hear the satisfaction in his voice at her words, but also a
dark undercurrent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had clearly come
to the same grim conclusion she had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were dead men and women, all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just a question of time—and how much
damage they could inflict before they were wiped out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She walked across the cramped cabin of the fighter bomber,
heading toward the hatch as the other three crew members unhooked themselves
and followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knelt down and waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Landing bay pressurized,” came the announcement a few
seconds later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurley punched at the
keys next to the small door, and the hatch slid open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put her leg down, and her foot found the
small ladder almost immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
climbed down to the deck and turned around, her eyes looking for the crew
chief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Chief,” she said as she spotted him, “I want these birds
turned around in record time…and I do mean fucking record time, you understand
me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurley had a fearsome reputation
among the maintenance crews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of
them felt she asked for the impossible, yet they somehow managed to do what she
commanded anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was hard to
argue with a fighting admiral with Hurley’s chops—especially when she’d just come
back with barely half the birds that she’d launched with a few hours before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“The crews are ready, Admiral.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam McGraw was old-school navy all the way, a
chief petty officer who drove his staff relentlessly and who could stand up to
any officer, even to a superior as terrifying as Greta Hurley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re already at work on the birds that
landed ahead of you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was waving his
arm as he spoke, gesturing to a work party to get started on the admiral’s
ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was mildly inappropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technically, he should have been at attention
while addressing the admiral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Hurley
didn’t give a shit about foolishness like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one had ever turned her fighters around like McGraw, and she wasn’t
about to give him shit for pushing his crews—or worrying about his job instead
of kissing her three-star ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Very well, Chief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll leave you to it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saw a sudden
difference in McGraw’s expression, shock, tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the non-com snapped to attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew the veteran petty officer well
enough to understand the only person on <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway</em></span>
who could generate that reaction from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Well done out there, Greta.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She turned abruptly and snapped to attention herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you, Admiral Compton.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greta Hurley was a force of nature, but
Admiral Terrance Compton was like a god striding among mortals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton had nearly fifty years of service,
having fought in both the Second and Third Frontier Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been a hero of the rebellions,
steadfastly refusing orders to bombard civilian targets, and somehow
maintaining control of the fleet through the entire crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His victories were too numerous to be
counted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the other half of the
legend of Augustus Garret, the only naval officer who could match his lifelong
friend’s prowess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“I take it you understand the current situation,
Admiral?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton’s voice was serious,
but it lacked the grim resignation she’d heard in everyone else’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, sir,” she replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Well, I’ve got a plan, Greta, and I need your help to pull
it off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Of course, sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever you need, my people will see it done.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt the power of Compton’s legend, of
his extraordinary charisma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t
expect to live more than a few more hours, but there was adrenalin flowing,
excitement about fighting again for this man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She could face death in battle, as long as she didn’t have to look into
Compton’s eyes knowing she had failed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thoughts of doom and imminent death faded away, replaced by a surge of
determination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Our position isn’t hopeless, Greta, no matter what everyone
in the fleet seems to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this
isn’t a suicide mission for your people either, so you remember that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s dangerous as hell, but I expect most of
you to be back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I demand it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton’s voice was firm, resolute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a
pretty good idea of the tactical situation, and she didn’t see a way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she found some part of herself believing
him, even as the rational side of her mind clung to its hopelessness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She looked at the man standing in front of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was rock solid, not the slightest doubt or
weakness apparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever Terrence
Compton, the man, believed, the undefeated fleet admiral was firmly in control
right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a significant
reputation herself, but now she drew strength from the man standing in front of
her, feeding off his iron will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span class="Heading2Char"><em>Perhaps it’s part of the legend</em></span>,
she thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><span class="Heading2Char">The
man is simply incapable of giving up.</span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Admiral, we’re picking up massive energy readings from the
X1 warp gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really off the charts…I
can’t even get a steady reading.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max
Harmon was Compton’s tactical officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Indeed, he’d also served Garret in the same capacity when Compton had
been wounded, and he had the singular distinction of being declared the best
tactical officer in the fleet by <span class="Heading2Char"><em>both</em></span> of
mankind’s legendary naval commanders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Compton looked over at Harmon, but he didn’t reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both knew what had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garret had detonated the device.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Dr. Hofstader’s calculations were correct—and
Compton had no doubt they were—the X1 warp gate was now scrambled by a massive
amount of captive energy that would slowly leak out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be centuries before a ship could
transit to Sigma 4—and the human domains beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Heading2Char"><em>And if it didn’t
work, every human being will be dead in two years</em></span>, he thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Alright, Max,” he said, changing the subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing to be gained by dwelling on
the fact that they were now officially cut off from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Transmit navigational instructions to the
fleet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton sat in the command chair
on <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway</em></span>’s flag bridge, as he had throughout
the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re going to take it hard on
the way in, but that can’t be helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ships
are authorized to defend themselves the best they can and engage any enemy
within range, but <span class="Heading2Char"><em>nothing</em></span> is more important
than following the nav plan <span class="Heading2Char"><em>exactly</em></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not going to be able to help any ship
that falls out of the formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
timed to the second as it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Compton sat back and listened to Harmon relaying his
orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appeared confident, almost
unconcerned, but it was 100% bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was nervous as hell, heartbroken at being cut off from human space,
scared about what would happen in the next few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was Fleet Admiral Terrance Compton,
and his people needed the legend now, not the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they were going to survive, he needed
their absolute best, and he wouldn’t get that from despondent spacers resigned
to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed for them to have
hope, to believe they had a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
he had come up with a way to give them that chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“All vessels confirm receipt of nav data, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Very well,” Compton replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stared at the tactical display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get me Captain Kato.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Harmon leaned over his station for a few seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he turned back toward Compton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“On your line, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Are your people ready, Captain?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a noticeable delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kato was on <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Akagi</em></span>,
about a light second from <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway</em></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, Admiral. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
ready.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was deep resignation in
Kato’s voice, and Compton felt his stomach clench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kato was a talented commander and an
honorable man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Heading2Char"><em>Just
the kind who’d sacrifice himself if he thought he was saving the fleet</em></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Aki, this is not a suicide mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are to engage the enemy until the
designated moment…and then your people are to board the shuttles and abandon
ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let me be absolutely clear…<span class="Heading2Char"><em>you personally</em></span> are included in my definition of ‘your
people.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that clear?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kato’s ship was badly damaged, and she had no
chance to keep up with the fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Compton had ordered <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Akagi</em></span>—and the other
fifteen vessels too shot up to maintain full thrust—to form a line to the flank
of the main force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were to hold off
the enemy as long as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
Compton had been clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ships were
on their last mission, but the skeleton crews remaining onboard were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had ordered them to flee, and link up with
the rest of the fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plans were
clear, but Compton was still afraid of unauthorized heroics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easier for his spacers to throw their
lives away when they believed they were as good as dead anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was still determined to get his people
out of this alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Understood, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Remember that, Aki.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t you dare get yourself killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I need all the good people I can get now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just do your best, and then bug out before
it’s too late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, Admiral.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Compton flipped off the com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He hoped he’d gotten through to the officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aki Kato was one of the best officers in the
fleet—and more importantly, he wasn’t one of Compton’s own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fleet was an international force, and he
knew if he managed to get them out of this he would have to deal with rivalries
and old resentments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he was doing
nothing to help prevent that by having his own people in virtually every major
command slot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He wasn’t making decisions based on national preferences, at
least not consciously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he couldn’t
help but trust his own people more than he did those from the other
powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the navy he and Garret
had built was vastly superior to any of the others, and the officers who had
developed under their tutelage and leadership were head and shoulders above
their rivals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton had Alliance
officers in key positions because they were the most skilled and reliable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he knew it created bad feeling as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A capable PRC officer he could
trust was a precious commodity, one he could ill afford to lose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He flipped on the com unit again, calling up Greta Hurley’s
fighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and her crews were waiting
in the landing bays of a dozen ships, armed and ready to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“You all set, Greta?” he asked softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, Admiral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
strike force is ready to launch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
voice was cold, hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton wasn’t
sure he’d convinced her they had a chance, but he was certain she would do
whatever was necessary to carry out his instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may
launch when ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Greta,
remember…this is not a suicide mission.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was getting tired of reminding everyone of that fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I expect you to be at the designated
rendezvous point spot on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, Admiral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understood.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Fortune go with you, Admiral Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“And with you, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She cut the line, and a few seconds later, Compton felt <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Midway</em></span> shake softly—the first of the fighters
launching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked down at his display,
watching the small blue dots assemble in formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If everything went according to plan, those
ships would launch their attack and then link up with the fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d have to match vector and velocity
perfectly, and the slightest inaccuracy would prove fatal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they’d have a chance, at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was all Compton could give them now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He stood up abruptly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Max, it’s time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give the fleet
order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All personnel to the tanks
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maneuvers begin in twelve minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">And if everything goes perfectly, we just might make it out of this system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“All weapons ready.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kato was in <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Akagi’s</em></span> command chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ship was wounded, mortally so considering
the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if Compton’s wild
plan was successful, the PRC flagship was far too damaged to escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she still had fight left in her, and
Captain Aki Kato was about to demonstrate that fact to the ships of the First
Imperium.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“All weapons stations report ready, Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yoshi Tanaka sat at the tactical station on
the otherwise nearly empty bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Heading2Char"><em>Akagi</em></span> normally had twelve officers and two guards in
her control center, but Kato had cut his crew to the bone, evacuating all but
the most essential personnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That left
Tanaka and the communications officer the only others there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">His face was twisted into an angry scowl as he stared at the
display, watching the enemy move closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kato was a veteran of the Third Frontier War, and he’d fought hard in
that conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d lost good friends
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that war had paled next to the
savagery of this one, and nothing matched the intensity of his hatred for the
First Imperium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soulless robots were
brutal and relentless in a way no human enemy could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the sacrifices this war had demanded made
the devastating losses of the Third Frontier War seem light by comparison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">It only made it worse that he knew his enemies did not feel
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t even hate their human
enemies, at least not in the way mankind understood the emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their attempts at genocide were logical from
their perspective, and not driven by rage or prejudice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were merely following orders in the
truest sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Kato hated them—he
hated them with all the passions his human emotions could generate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to kill them, to see them in pain,
to watch them overcome with fear as he ignored their pleas for mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the fact that he knew his enemy would
never feel the pain or fear he wanted to inflict only drove Kato’s anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t know if he believed any of his
people would survive, but he was damned sure they were going to dish out some
damage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“All ships are to fire when ready,” he said, his voice
dripping with venom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stared across
the almost silent bridge as the comm officer relayed his order to the thin line
of vessels under his command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sixteen
damaged ships was a poor force to stand against the massive array of First
Imperium power now approaching, but no one expected his forlorn hope to stop
the enemy or even damage them significantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All they had to do was buy a little time, and if they could manage it,
even a few minutes, they could increase the escape margin for their
comrades—and for themselves if they were able to evacuate in time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">His eyes were fixed on the tactical display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first enemy line, about fifty ships
strong, was almost within missile range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of the vessels were damaged from the earlier fighting, and some,
Kato hoped, were low on ordnance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind
the initial wave there were others, over a thousand ships in all, including
twenty of the massive new design that was already being called the Colossus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole fleet had twenty times the
firepower needed to destroy every one of Compton’s ships, but Kato wasn’t
worried about the massive waves of strength relentlessly approaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His target was the first line, and in that
fight, he knew his people could inflict a toll before they bugged out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“All missile launchers…fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One volley, continuous launches.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He spoke softly, firmly, never taking his eyes off his display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Heading2Char"><em>Akagi</em></span> shook
as she flushed the missiles from her external racks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally, it took at least fifteen minutes to
clear the superstructure from the hull to allow internal launchers to
fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Kato had already given his
orders, and a few seconds after the missiles launched, the racks that had held
them in place were jettisoned immediately, without the careful effort to direct
the huge chunks of metal away from the ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a dangerous procedure, and <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Akagi</em></span> shook
several times as discarded hunks of hyper-steel slammed into her hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Kato knew time was his most precious
resource, and a concentrated missile volley had the best chance of overwhelming
the enemy’s defenses and scoring some kills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Racks cleared, Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tanaka was staring at his screens as he reported.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have some hull breeches, lost atmosphere
in several sectors, but nothing vital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And no casualties reported.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Kato sighed softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Heading2Char"><em>That’s one advantage of having 80% of the crew gone…fewer
people around to get sucked out into space when their compartment is ripped
open</em></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dropping the racks so
quickly had been a big risk, but it was looking like a gamble that had paid
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least for <span class="Heading2Char"><em>Akagi</em></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Admiral, Orleans reports extensive damage from disengaging
external racks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is streaming air and
fluids, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Captain Amies is to evacuate immediately.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stricken ship was no longer capable of
contributing seriously to the fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that meant Kato couldn’t justify risking even its skeleton crew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He stared straight ahead, watching the cloud of missiles on
his display accelerating toward the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Let’s close to laser range, Commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The task force is to accelerate at 5g.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Time to finish this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">* <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“All squadrons, this is the highest precision operation we
have ever attempted.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurley’s voice was
like ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t have Compton’s
confidence that any of her people would make it through, but that didn’t
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live or die, she would do it
following the admiral’s orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
Compton had been clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, if they
were fated to die, it meant something to her that they die well, hurting the
enemy and helping give their comrades a chance to escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“We will be commencing our assault in one minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will each make a single attack run at
your assigned enemy vessel, and then you will execute the exact navigation plan
locked into your onboard computers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
will not delay, not for any reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t care if you think one more run with lasers will take out a Leviathan…you
will follow my orders to the letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Admiral Compton’s orders.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Her eyes were on the chronometer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It read forty seconds, thirty-nine,
thirty-eight…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“There is no room for hesitation, no margin for error. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to reach the rendezvous point on time,
and align our velocity and vectors with our specific landing platforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we will have to land rapidly, again with
no room for delay or mistakes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Twenty-four, twenty-three, twenty-two…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“I expect not only the best from all of you…I expect
perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so does Admiral
Compton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to do this, people,
and do it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then we get the
hell out of here so we can fight another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good luck to all of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She cut the line and looked over at Wilder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pilot was also staring at the
chronometer, waiting for it to count down to zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright, John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You ready for this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The pilot nodded slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yes, Admiral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley turned toward the rest of the crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Boys?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The others nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yes, sir,” they said almost simultaneously—and unconvincingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley took a deep breath as she watched the display work
its way through the single digits…to zero.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She leaned back as Wilder hit the thrust and the pressure of
nine gees slammed into her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could
hardly move, but she managed to glance down at her screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire formation, 243 small blue dots,
moved ahead in perfect order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt a
rush of pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her force included craft
from most of the superpowers, crews with different training doctrines and capabilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were former enemies fighting together,
men and women who had struggled against each other in the great battles of the
Third Frontier War.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she had forged
them into a single cohesive unit, and she’d done it in just two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she was damned proud of every one of
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Many of her people were already dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, almost two-thirds of her strength was
gone in the battles of the last few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More would die soon, she knew, but the fighter wings had done their part
and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had given all they had to
give to defeat mankind’s enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Captain Kato’s ships have fired their missiles,
Admiral.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kip Janz was the fighter’s
main gunner, but now he was manning the small scanning station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was struggling to hold his head up over
the scope, to push back against the massive forces bearing down on them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It looks like they somehow launched
everything in one continuous volley.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Janz’ tone was thick with confusion, but Hurley understood immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">He blew off his racks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, he
didn’t sustain too much damage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“We’ll be at Point Zeta in thirty seconds, Admiral.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wilder’s voice was as strained as everyone
else’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one, not even the hardest
veteran, could take nine gees without it affecting everything they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cutting thrust in three…two…one…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley felt the crushing pressure disappear, replaced by the
weightlessness of free fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked
down at her display, watching the icons align as thirty squadrons cut thrust
simultaneously, maintaining almost perfect order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then her eyes glanced toward the top of the
screen, where a line of large red ovals marked the enemy vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Her birds were already entering firing range, but not a shot
came from any of her fighters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every one
of them was loaded with double-shotted plasma torpedoes, and the plan was
simple—fly through everything the enemy could throw at them and close to point
blank range before firing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew they
wouldn’t all make it through, but the enemy ships in the first line had been
badly shot up, and with any luck, the defensive fire would be light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The First Imperium didn’t have any fighters,
and their defensive tactics had been thrown together to meet the threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her birds were coming in fast, and that would
minimize the time they spend in the hot zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But they were also heading directly for their targets, and at almost 0.04c,
they weren’t going to be able to maneuver or alter their vectors quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In space combat, high velocity reduced the
variability of a target’s future location.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“We’ve got enemy missiles on the screen, Admiral.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janz’ turned toward Hurley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It looks like a heavy volley, but not as bad
as it could be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley could tell from Janz’ tone the enemy response was
weaker than he’d expected. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Man your
guns, Lieutenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to take out
some missiles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, Admiral,” he replied sharply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley could heat a loud hum as the fighter’s anti-missile
lasers powered up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tiny ship had
four of the small point defense weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had an effective range of about 5,000 kilometers, almost nothing
relative to the vast distances in space combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the missiles approaching weren’t the enemy’s big antimatter fueled,
multi-gigaton ship killers either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were barely firecrackers by comparison—20 to 50 megatons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had to get close to take out one of her
birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A detonation within 500 meters
would destroy a fighter outright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One a
kilometer away would probably give her entire crew a lethal dose of
radiation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But any farther out, and the
damage, if any, would be light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She sat quietly and watched her tiny ship’s crew go about
their tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t need to
interfere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d trained them, she’d led them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she would let them do their jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Missiles entering interception range in four minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley nodded, but she didn’t reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just sat and waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And wondered how the rest of the fleet was
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compton’s plan had seemed crazy
to her at first, but the more she thought about it, the more she came to believe
he just might pull it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t pay
to bet against Terrance Compton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Getting through the warp gate didn’t mean getting away, but
it was a step in the direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the
fleet transited, Compton intended to drop a spread of mines just on the other
side and blast toward one of the system’s exit gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The enemy fleet would follow, but its sheer
size would slow its transit—and the minefield would disorder them further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With any luck, Compton would gain on the
enemy, increasing the gap between the two forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they would need every kilometer of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Compton had scouting data on X4, and the location of several
potential exit gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever
system lay beyond was a total mystery—and each successive transit would be a
gamble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would they manage to find an
exit gate in each before the enemy caught them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or would one of the systems prove to be a dead end, with no escape?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Missiles entering range in one minute.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley had great confidence in her people, but she knew this
was a difficult mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tried not
to think of it as a suicide run, as much because she knew that’s what Compton
wanted, and not because she particularly expected to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her birds were moving at a high velocity, and
that made the job easier for the enemy missiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her ships couldn’t quickly alter their
vectors, which meant the incoming warheads had a small area to target.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Commencing interception.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley heard the high pitched whine of the lasers firing,
one shot after the other in rapid succession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’d always hated this part of an assault, pushing through the enemy’s
long-ranged interdiction, powerless, waiting to see if her ship would get
picked off by a well-placed—or lucky—shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her weapons were deadly, but they were shorter ranged, especially if she
wanted to do serious damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she
damned sure wanted that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there was no
choice but to take what the enemy threw at her people, and hope for the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Survival wasn’t pure chance, of course, and a gunner’s skill
was crucial in increasing the odds of a fighter closing to its own firing
range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Kip Janz was one of the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She glanced down at the screen, monitoring the status of the
incoming volley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janz and the ship’s AI
had taken out seven enemy missiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
didn’t mean all of those would have closed to deadly range, but still, she was
glad they were vaporized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything that
got within the 5,000 kilometer window had to be considered a serious threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She saw the warning lights go on—a detonation about two
klicks away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Close, but not close enough
to cause major damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, there was
a good chance she and her people would need a course of anti-rad treatments
when they got back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they got back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The enemy missiles were mostly gone from the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were nearly through—and that much closer
to releasing their own deadly attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Hurley’s eyes were fixed on a dozen flashing icons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twelve of her fighters hadn’t been as
fortunate, their gunners not as skilled as Janz, and now they were bits of
plasma and debris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She found it hard to
look at a scanner displaying that kind of data, at the impersonal symbols that
represented real ships, real crews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
dozen flashing circles meant sixty of her people were dead, their ships
destroyed before they even had the chance to fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cold, impersonal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wondered how the Marines and other ground
troops fared, so often seeing their comrades killed right in front of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><span class="Heading2Char">Is it easier
that way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or more difficult?</span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“We’re through the missile barrage, Admiral,” Janz said
firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Beginning final approach.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley looked over at Wilder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The ship is yours, Commander.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wilder and Janz had stepped aside during the
last attack run, allowing their admiral to take the shot—a dead on hit that had
finished off the ailing Leviathan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d
appreciated the gesture, and she’d enjoyed the hell out of killing the First
Imperium ship, but she didn’t intend to make a habit out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d accepted the stars Garret had given
her, and she was resolved to behave accordingly and not act like some gung-ho
pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time, at least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Technically, Hurley didn’t have a job on her ship, at least
not one involved in its operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
fighter’s purpose was to carry her wherever she had to be to command the strike
force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much to the frustration of
Admiral Garret’s plans, it had proven impossible to keep her back from the
fight, so now it was not only a moving headquarters—it was another ship in the
line, one more attacker determined to plant a double plasma torpedo into the
guts of a First Imperium vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Prepare for high-gee maneuvers,” Wilder said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley sat quietly, looking at the display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew just where Wilder was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closest ship was a Gargoyle, but half a
dozen fighters had already made runs at it, and three had scored solid
hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship was still there, but
there wasn’t much left of it, and there was no fire at all coming from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But tucked in just behind was the target that
had caught Wilder’s eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Leviathan,
also badly damaged, but still firing at the fighters buzzing past it like flies
on a carcass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Heavy incoming fire,” Janz said, staring at the scope as he
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main First Imperium defensive weapon
was similar to the Alliance’s shotguns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both systems were essentially large railguns, firing clouds of metallic
projectiles into the paths of incoming fighters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The First Imperium version had been designed
purely as an anti-missile platform, but it performed well enough against
fighters to make the hair on Hurley’s neck stand up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The fighter pitched hard as Wilder hit the thrust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurley felt the force slam into her, an
impact like five times her own weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She focused on breathing deeply as the force increased…6g…7g…8g.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She held herself straight in her chair,
angling her head slightly so she could see her screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her movement was slow, steady, disciplined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 8g, she knew she could pull a muscle just
moving wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She could see the enemy vessel getting closer—and bigger—on
the display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another fighter streaked
across, putting its payload right into the huge enemy vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scanners were assessing damage, feeding a
continuous report on the status of the enemy ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a dozen great rents in the side of
the vessel, and liquids and gasses were spewing out into space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a human-crewed ship, men and women would
be dying in those compartments, blown into space or frozen and suffocated in
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she knew it was impossible to
disable a First Imperium ship by killing its crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The robots onboard were impervious to cold,
to lack of oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, to kill a First
Imperium vessel, you had to tear the thing apart, bit by bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Suddenly, the thrust was gone, and weightlessness replaced
the crushing pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took a deep
breath, grateful for the ease of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
glanced over at Wilder and then back to her screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The range was counting down rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were moving at 5,000 kilometers per
second, and the enemy was less than 50,000 klicks away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were ten seconds out and on a collision
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She opened her mouth, but she
didn’t say anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wilder knew what he
was doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Eight seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pilot was totally focused, his head staring straight at the display, hands
tight on the controls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship bucked slightly, as Wilder released
the plasma torpedo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley stared straight ahead, watching the distance slip
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><span class="Heading2Char">We’re
going to hit that ship…</span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Then 9g of pressure slammed into her like a sledgehammer,
and Wilder hit the thrust barely four seconds from impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few seconds of thrust couldn’t do much to
alter the course of a fighter travelling at over 3% of lightspeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it didn’t have to do much, just enough to
swing the fighter around the enemy ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it did just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurley
looked down in disbelief at the scanners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fighter had passed within 300 meters of the Leviathan before it
continued on, putting 5,000 klicks a second between it and its stricken target.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Wilder’s torpedoes had found their mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a shot generally consider impossible,
a degree of accuracy almost unimaginable considering the velocities and
distances involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Wilder had
dumped his doubleshotted payload right through one of the great rips in the
Leviathan’s hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The great ship
shuddered hard as the heavy weapon unleashed its power on its unarmored
insides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley saw the data coming in, and she knew what was
happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The torpedo was gutting the
inside of the ship, destroying everything in its path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she knew one type of damage would prove
to be its doom, and a few seconds later she was proven correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The massive vessel disappeared in an explosion
of unimaginable fury, as it lost containment on its antimatter stores and
unleashed the fury of matter annihilation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Nice shot, John,” Hurley said simply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she added, “Think you can cut it a
little closer next time?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“I’ll try, Admiral,” he said, an amused grin on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley looked down at her screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The strike force had completed its
attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d hit the enemy line right
on the heels of Kato’s missiles, and they’d taken out half a dozen ships,
including two Leviathans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And her people
had only lost another twenty fighters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally
she wouldn’t draw comfort from another hundred of her people dead, but even at her
most wildly optimistic, she had imagined several times that number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The attack had been a massive success—and Kato’s task force was
just a few minutes out of laser range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With any luck, his ships would wipe out the enemy line before his people
had to abandon their crippled vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She smiled grimly, feeling a wave of satisfaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><span class="Heading2Char">Compton wanted us to
delay them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I’d say wiping out
their first line will cause a delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rest of the fleet is over an hour behind.</span><o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hurley just nodded and returned the smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“OK, according to Admiral Compton’s
navigation, we should be close to the right course and speed to link up with
the fleet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hint of skepticism slipped
into her tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d never even heard of
fighters landing on ships moving at this kind of velocity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She understood the physics, and as long as
everything was perfectly aligned, it shouldn’t be much different from a normal
landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, it was going to take a
hell of a piloting job to pull it off, and she didn’t kid herself that all her
people were going to make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
ones who didn’t would die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was that
simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-9703481412538619052015-03-24T11:22:00.004-07:002015-03-24T11:22:50.003-07:00Crimson Worlds Successors I: MERCS is Now Available<span>MERCS</span> is the first book of the new Crimson Worlds Successors series has been released on all retailers. If you preordered it, you should have it already. If you did not preorder and you want to continue the saga of the Crimson Worlds, it is now available.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=928c0b880c&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>MERCS</span> at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=76218976db&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>MERCS</span> at BN</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=0348bbdad4&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>MERCS</span> at Apple</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=7017614075&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>MERCS</span> at KOBO</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=90676f5e2e&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>MERCS</span> Print Edition</a><br /><br /> A description of MERCS follows, but first:<br /><br /> If you haven't read Crimson Worlds IX - The Fall yet, pretty much everything to do with <span>MERCS</span> is going to be a spoiler for you. The Fall is available on all retailers, but if you haven't read it and intend to, you might not want to read this email any farther.<br /><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=88455cc587&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=cb4153368a&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at BN</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=b57c759838&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Apple</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=7ed50aabb7&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Kobo</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=803a5ed7fc&e=063a4785fd" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall Print Edition</a><br /><br /> <br />
MERCS<br /><br /> Earth has been a scarred ruin for three decades, its scattered people struggling to survive amid the poisoned and radioactive wreckage of the final war between its despotic Superpowers. While the inhabitants of Earth struggle to crawl out of the new dark age, out on the frontier, on a thousand worlds, mankind thrives and grows, building new civilizations and looking boldly to the future. But man has never been able to live in peace, and even Earth’s sad fate has failed to slow the call to war.<br /> <br /> Most of the colonies lack the industry and economic power to sustain their own armies and navies, and they look to the <span>mercenaries</span> of the Great Companies for aid in time of war. These futuristic condottiere contract themselves to the highest bidder, and the mightiest strike fear into the hearts of all who oppose them.<br /> <br /> Darius Cain is the leader of the Black Eagles, the most renowned of all the Companies. A military genius, he has led his undefeated warriors from victory to victory. The Eagles command the highest rates of any of the Companies, and leaders bankrupt their worlds to pay the price.<br /> <br /> But amid the ruins of Earth and on planets all across occupied space there are signs of a greater darkness, a force working in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, to launch a final war to reduce all mankind to slavery.<br /> <br /> As Cain slowly uncovers the truth, he must forge an alliance among old enemies, the other Companies his men have fought for years…and the twin brother he hasn’t seen in a decade.<br /> <br /> The Crimson Worlds are about to explode into a war that may be mankind’s last.<br /><br /><br /><strong>COMING <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1811582400" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">JUNE 23, 2015</span></span></span></strong><br /><br /> Crimson Worlds Refugees I: Into the Darkness<br /><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=08f0b3f005&e=606a86a7fc" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> Preorder at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-the-darkness-jay-allan/1120916369" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness Preorder at Barnes and Noble</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=d5cf14f6ff&e=606a86a7fc" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> Preorder at Apple</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=94d4b80b3a&e=606a86a7fc" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> Preorder at Kobo</a><br /><a href="http://crimsonworlds.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c8df30fac9eade24a7e24442&id=04ad00ef5c&e=606a86a7fc" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span>Into</span> the <span>Darkness</span> Print Edition Preorder</a><br /><br /> Terrence Compton is one of Earth’s greatest admirals, a warrior almost without equal. Alongside his oldest friend and brilliant colleague, Augustus Garret, he and his forces saved Earth from invasion by the robotic legions of the First Imperium’s insane computer Regent.<br /> <br /> There is just one problem. The First Imperium was held back by the destruction of the sole warp gate connecting the two domains…and Compton and 300 of his ships are trapped on the wrong side, surrounded by the Regent’s vast fleets and cut off from Earth.<br /> <br /> Pursued by their deadly enemy, Compton and his fleet must flee into the darkness of unexplored space, seeking safety…and ultimately a new home. Their journey will take them deep into the heart of the First Imperium, to the silent, windswept worlds where the ancient raced that built the Regent once dwelled…and uncover the lost secrets of its disappearance 500,000 years ago.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-35702608453415848892015-02-14T11:43:00.002-08:002015-02-14T11:43:32.493-08:00Sneak peek...Crimson Worlds SuccessorsMERCS PREVIEW<br /><br /> MERCS is the first book of the new Crimson Worlds Successors series, scheduled to be released on March 24, 2015. The series is mostly set approximately thirty years after the events of The Fall (there are a few flashbacks to the intervening period).<br /><br /> I have done a number of sneak peaks on my blog in the past, but this list is the biggest concentration of my readers, so I decided I should be sending those out here. So here it is...the link below will allow you to download the first three chapters in any format you choose.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.instafreebie.com/campaign/7TuGMMJa1pufQPnXBOOpcQlnGXQ4JJ" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS Sneak Peak</a><br /><br /> MERCS is available for pre-order now on all retailers:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/MERCS-Crimson-Successors-Jay-Allan-ebook/dp/B00R3N0X0E/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mercs-jay-allan/1120916361" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at BN</a><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mercs/id951927011" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at Apple</a><br /><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/mercs-2" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at KOBO</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mercs-Jay-Allan/dp/0692354808/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS Print Edition</a><br /><br />If you haven't read Crimson Worlds IX - The Fall yet, pretty much everything to do with MERCS is going to be a spoiler for you. The Fall is available on all retailers, but if you haven't read it and intend to, you might not want to read this email any farther.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Crimson-Worlds-IX-ebook/dp/B00O4K2J4M/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-jay-allan/1120476745" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at BN</a><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-fall/id925861186" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Apple</a><br /><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-fall-53" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Kobo</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Fall-Crimson-Worlds-Volume/dp/0692313087/" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall Print Edition</a><br /><br /><br /> Earth has been a scarred ruin for three decades, its scattered people struggling to survive amid the poisoned and radioactive wreckage of the final war between its despotic Superpowers. While the inhabitants of Earth struggle to survive, out on the frontier, on a thousand worlds, mankind thrives and grows, building new civilizations and looking boldly to the future. But man has never been able to live in peace, and even Earth’s sad fate has failed to slow the call to war.<br /> <br /> Most of the colonies lack the industry and economic power to sustain their own armies and navies, and they look to the mercenaries of the Great Companies for aid in time of war. These futuristic condottiere contract themselves to the highest bidder, and the mightiest strike fear into the hearts of all who oppose them.<br /> <br /> Darius Cain is the leader of the Black Eagles, the most renowned of all the Companies. A military genius, he has led his undefeated warriors from victory to victory. The Eagles command the highest rates of any of the Companies, and leaders bankrupt their worlds to pay the price.<br /> <br /> But amid the ruins of Earth and on planets all across occupied space there are signs of a greater darkness, a force working in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, to launch a final war to reduce all mankind to slavery.<br /> <br /> As Cain slowly uncovers the truth, he must forge an alliance among old enemies, the other Companies his men have fought for years…and the twin brother he hasn’t seen in a decade.<br /> <br /> The Crimson Worlds are about to explode into a war that may be mankind’s last.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.instafreebie.com/campaign/7TuGMMJa1pufQPnXBOOpcQlnGXQ4JJ" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS Sneak Peak</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-23229825967700315512015-01-11T20:10:00.001-08:002015-01-11T20:10:16.949-08:00New Audiobook Editions<h3>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ten-Thousand-Portal-Wars/dp/B00REUVQE8/" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Crimson-Worlds-Book/dp/B00RY8AF1U/" target="_blank">The Fall</a> are now available in audiobook format.</h3>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ten-Thousand-Portal-Wars/dp/B00REUVQE8/" target="_blank">The Ten Thousand (Portal Wars II)</a></h3>
<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
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<br />
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Crimson-Worlds-Book/dp/B00RY8AF1U/" target="_blank">The Fall (Crimson Worlds IX)</a></h3>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Epic Conclusion to the Crimson Worlds Series…</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Erik Cain is the hero of the Marine Corps, a celebrated
warrior who has led his grim veterans into every war the Alliance and mankind
have faced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now he has left the
Corps, driven to near madness by an overwhelming need for vengeance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has sworn to kill Gavin Stark, the madman
responsible for his mentor’s death and, with a small band of dedicated
followers, he is pursuing his prey across occupied space.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Meanwhile, on a dozen colony worlds, Marines land to face
the occupying forces of Stark’s Shadow Legions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are supported by the Janissaries, their longtime enemies, now
turned allies, but they are exhausted and outnumbered, facing a vastly superior
enemy entrenched and waiting for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But they are veterans, Marines and Janissaries both, men and women who
have battled the armies of the First Imperium and lived to tell the tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know what is at stake, and they are
determined to prevail, even if none of them come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And on Earth, the economic collapse Stark engineered has
shattered the Treaty of Paris and its century-long prohibition against
terrestrial warfare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millions are
already dead as the war between the Superpowers spreads across the Earth, a
growing conflagration that could end in apocalyptic nuclear, chemical, and
biological exchanges between the powers.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Will mankind live under the iron boot of Gavin Stark and
his clone descendants forever?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or will
Erik Cain and the Marines defeat him once and for all?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-78286930185954738412014-12-25T18:29:00.004-08:002014-12-25T18:29:23.371-08:00Happy Holidays! New Series! Pre-Orders!First, Happy Holidays to you all!<br />
<br />
Second, I'm excited to announce that the first books in each of two upcoming new Crimson Worlds series are now available for pre-order.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Into the Darkness (Crimson Worlds Refugees I)</h3>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-Crimson-Worlds-Refugees-ebook/dp/B00R3N0X2M/" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-the-darkness-jay-allan/1120916369" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Barnes and Noble</a><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id951926383" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Apple</a><br /><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/into-the-darkness-27" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness at Kobo</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-Jay-Allan/dp/0692354824/" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Into the Darkness Print Edition</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Terrence Compton is one of Earth’s greatest admirals, a
warrior almost without equal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alongside
his oldest friend and brilliant colleague, Augustus Garret, he and his forces
saved Earth from invasion by the robotic legions of the First Imperium’s insane
computer Regent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is just one problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The First Imperium was held back by the
destruction of the sole warp gate connecting the two domains…and Compton and
300 of his ships are trapped on the wrong side, surrounded by the Regent’s vast
fleets and cut off from Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pursued by their deadly enemy, Compton and his fleet must
flee into the darkness of unexplored space, seeking safety…and ultimately a new
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their journey will take them deep
into the heart of the First Imperium, to the silent, windswept worlds where the
ancient raced that built the Regent once dwelled…and uncover the lost secrets
of its disappearance 500,000 years ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The Pre-order for Into the Darkness will include a bonus short story not available anywhere else.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<h3 class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
MERCS (Crimson Worlds Successors I)</h3>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/MERCS-Crimson-Successors-Jay-Allan-ebook/dp/B00R3N0X0E/" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mercs-jay-allan/1120916361" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at Barnes and Noble</a><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id951927011" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at Apple</a><br /><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/mercs-2" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS at Kobo</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mercs-Jay-Allan/dp/0692354808/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419559697&sr=8-1&keywords=mercs+jay+allan" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MERCS Print Edition</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">WARNING...if you haven't read Crimson Worlds IX: The Fall, you may consider some of the following to be a spoiler. Scroll down at your own risk...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">|<br />|<br />|<br />|</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|</span></div>
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Earth has been a scarred ruin for three decades, its scattered
people struggling to survive amid the poisoned and radioactive wreckage of the final
war between its despotic Superpowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
the people of Earth struggle to survive, out on the frontier, on a thousand
worlds, mankind thrives and grows, building new civilizations and looking
boldly to the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But man has never
been able to live in peace, and even Earth’s sad fate has failed to slow the
call to war.</div>
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Most of the colonies lack the industry and economic power
to sustain their own armies and navies, and they look to the mercenaries of the
Great Companies for aid in time of war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
futuristic condottiere contract themselves to the highest bidder, and the
mightiest strike fear into the hearts of all who oppose them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Darius Cain is the leader of the Black Eagles, the most renowned
of all the Companies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A military genius,
he has led his undefeated warriors from victory to victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Eagles command the highest rates of any
of the Companies, and leaders bankrupt their worlds to pay the price.</div>
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But amid the ruins of Earth and on planets all across
occupied space there are signs of a greater darkness, a force working in the
shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, to launch a final war to
reduce all mankind to slavery.</div>
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As Cain slowly uncovers the truth, he must forge an
alliance among old enemies, the other Companies his men have fought for
years…and the twin brother he hasn’t seen in a decade.</div>
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The Crimson Worlds are about to explode into a war that
may be mankind’s last.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-64065168120722487562014-12-18T22:18:00.001-08:002014-12-18T22:18:28.403-08:00Crimson Worlds IX: The Fall ReleasedCrimson Worlds IX: The Fall is now available at all retailers.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Crimson-Worlds-IX-ebook/dp/B00O4K2J4M/" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Amazon</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-jay-allan/1120476745" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Barnes and Noble</a><br /><br /><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-fall-53" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Kobo</a><br /><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id925861186" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall at Apple</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Fall-Crimson-Worlds-Volume/dp/0692313087/" style="-ms-word-wrap: break-word; color: #606060; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Fall Print Edition</a><br />
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The Epic Conclusion to the Crimson Worlds Series… <br /><br />Erik Cain is the hero of the Marine Corps, a celebrated warrior who has led his grim veterans into every war the Alliance and mankind have faced. But now he has left the Corps, driven to near madness by an overwhelming need for vengeance. He has sworn to kill Gavin Stark, the madman responsible for his mentor’s death and, with a small band of dedicated followers, he is pursuing his prey across occupied space. <br /><br />Meanwhile, on a dozen colony worlds, Marines land to face the occupying forces of Stark’s Shadow Legions. They are supported by the Janissaries, their longtime enemies, now turned allies, but they are exhausted and outnumbered, facing a vastly superior enemy entrenched and waiting for them. But they are veterans, Marines and Janissaries both, men and women who have battled the armies of the First Imperium and lived to tell the tale. They know what is at stake, and they are determined to prevail, even if none of them come back. <br /><br />And on Earth, the economic collapse Stark engineered has shattered the Treaty of Paris and its century-long prohibition against terrestrial warfare. Millions are already dead as the war between the Superpowers spreads across the Earth, a growing conflagration that could end in apocalyptic nuclear, chemical, and biological exchanges between the powers. <br /><br />Will mankind live under the iron boot of Gavin Stark and his clone descendants forever? Or will Erik Cain and the Marines defeat him once and for all? <br /><br />The Crimson Worlds Series: <br /><br />Marines (Crimson Worlds I) <br />The Cost of Victory (Crimson Worlds II) <br />A Little Rebellion (Crimson Worlds III) <br />The First Imperium (Crimson Worlds IV) <br />The Line Must Hold (Crimson Worlds V) <br />To Hell’s Heart (Crimson Worlds VI) <br />The Shadow Legions (Crimson Worlds VII) <br />Even Legends Die (Crimson Worlds VIII) <br />War Stories (3 Crimson Worlds Prequels) <br /><br />Also by Jay Allan: <br /><br />Gehenna Dawn (Portal Wars I) <br />The Ten Thousand (Portal Wars II) <br />The Dragon's Banner (Pendragon Chronicles I)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-27786098951582396792014-11-20T20:32:00.002-08:002014-11-20T20:32:35.921-08:00Chapter 3 of The FallOne last preview chapter of Crimson Worlds IX: The Fall:<br />
<br />
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Chapter 3</h3>
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Front Lines<br />120 Kilometers East of Paris<br />French Zone, Europa Federalis</div>
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Hans Werner peered out over the trench at the blackened and shattered ground in front of his position. The stretch of rolling hills had once been covered with rich vineyards, but now it was a blasted hell where nothing lived. The civilians who had survived the initial battles had long since fled, and the ruin of war was everywhere.</div>
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<br />Werner couldn’t see the Europan positions from where he stood, but he knew they were there, a mere 3 kilometers ahead, a network of trenches as formidable as his, hidden by the low ridgeline. He’d assaulted that defensive position three times. Each of his meticulously planned attacks drove through the enemy defenses, only to bog down and falter for lack of supplies and reinforcements. The enemy had thrown themselves at his line as well, and each time his carefully positioned batteries and autocannons shredded the advancing formations, sending them back in disarray.</div>
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<br />The casualties along the stalemated line had been almost too many to count. Werner had lost two million men in just the last six months, and he was certain the Europans had suffered even greater casualties. The CEL forces had seemed unstoppable on their initial drive toward Paris, but then the RIC allied with Europa Federalis and invaded the CEL’s eastern provinces.</div>
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<br />The Europan diplomatic victory was as effective as any battlefield success, and Werner lost almost a million men without a battle, legions of his veterans sent to the eastern front to meet the new threat. His supplies and reinforcements trickled to almost nothing as well, and he’d been compelled to halt his advance and reorganize. The CEL’s chance at a quick victory was lost, the victim of enemy diplomacy and the need to fight a 2-front war.</div>
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<br />Werner had gained his fourth star during the early fighting along the Reims-Troyes Line, and he now commanded the four armies of 1st Army Group. He was the greatest hero of the war, at least in Europe, and the only CEL commander who had distinguished himself in the disastrous early battles. His steadfast defense along the southern edge of the front had likely saved the League from an ignominious defeat in the early months of the fighting, when the Europan forces surged forward shouting their battle cry, “Venger le sang de Marseille.”</div>
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<br />The still-unnamed world war had begun in Europe, between Europa Federalis and the Central European League, ignited by the nuclear destruction of Marseilles, an act of terrorism in which the CEL still denied any involvement. Repeated statements to that effect from Neu-Brandenberg had fallen on deaf ears, and the Paris government repudiated the century-long prohibition against terrestrial warfare and launched a massive invasion of their hated neighbors. That war had been raging for a year now, and both Powers, already prostrate from the worldwide economic depression, were on the verge of total collapse.</div>
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<br />The conflict may have started along the banks of the Rhine, but once open war broke out between Superpowers, the conflagration spread, and now there was fighting in every corner of the globe. The Tokyo-based Pacific Rim Coalition joined their longtime Western Alliance allies in the conflict with the Chinese-dominated Central Asian Combine. The Caliphate honored its treaty obligations to their CAC partners, and the Alliance and PRC were soon fighting their two greatest rivals. That struggle had raged across the seas, where the Alliance and PRC had been largely victorious, and in southern Asia and Africa, where the CAC-Caliphate armies had crushed most of their enemies.</div>
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<br />The CAC and the Caliphate had won the diplomatic war as well, winning over both the RIC and the South American Empire as well as Europa Federalis. Hong Kong and New Medina had assembled their great power bloc with a combination of threats and promises, edging out the diplomats from Washbalt with the help of Li An and her C1 operatives.</div>
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<br />The Russian-Indian offensive against the CEL had been the price of bringing Europa Federalis into their league, and now five of Earth’s Superpowers were aligned against the other three. Werner’s attentions had been focused primarily on the theater where he commanded, but he knew the effects of the wider war would trickle down and affect his own armies. Already, his forces had been stripped of manpower and resources to support the tenuous defensive lines on the eastern front. He knew that would only get worse, as the Russians continued to mobilize and pour more troops into the combat zone. Eventually, he realized, even the battered Europans would reorganize and launch their own offensive.</div>
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<br />He stared down at the orders he held in his hand. He’d read them three times already, but he found his eyes panning across the small ‘pad again. He understood the reality behind the directive, but he still couldn’t bring himself to believe what he was reading. He was to launch an immediate offensive to take the Europan capital of Paris, and he was authorized to use unlimited tactical and intermediate ranged nuclear weapons against any military targets, without consideration to civilian casualties.</div>
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<br />Both sides had used nukes in the war, but they had been targeted and sporadic. Werner’s orders called for a massive pre-attack bombardment, one that shattered the Europan defensive positions and their logistical centers behind the front. There would be millions of civilian casualties, no matter how carefully he targeted the strikes. He could only guess at the probable response, and how it would affect his advancing armies…and the rest of the world.</div>
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<br />He felt a flush of anger toward the high command in Neu-Brandenburg, but he realized they had no choice. The CEL couldn’t fight the Europans and the RIC at the same time, and the Alliance wasn’t in a position to offer anything beyond minimal support. Taking out Europa Federalis was the only way the CEL could survive. If they knocked out their western enemy, they could consolidate their forces on the eastern front and hold out against the growing RIC pressure. It was a desperate plan, one he wanted to oppose. But he couldn’t think of an alternative.</div>
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<br />“Come here, Major.” He shouted to his longtime aide.</div>
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<br />Potsdorf had been with him since his days as a battalion commander. Then a lieutenant, he had followed Werner through his meteoric rise in rank, continuing to serve as his aide at each level of command.</div>
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<br />“Yes, General.” Potsdorf was running over, moving as quickly as he could in the deep muck of the trench. The aide was a tall man, with close-cropped blonde hair and a grim face. He stopped in front of the theater commander and stood at attention.</div>
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<br />“Read this, Potsdorf.” He handed the ‘pad to his surprised aide.</div>
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<br />“My God, sir.” Potsdorf was still reading, but he’d gotten the gist of the order in the first few seconds. “This is a massive escalation.”</div>
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<br />“Indeed it is, Major.” There was a sadness in Werner’s voice. He was a soldier, and he would carry out his orders, but he couldn’t help but think he was committing suicide as well. For him and for his soldiers, and possibly for the civilians back home too. The Europans would almost certainly respond in kind, and a battlefield that was already a nightmare would become a blasted, radioactive hell.</div>
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What happened next rested with the politicians, but that was cold comfort to Werner. “But those are our orders, so we’d better do everything we can to make sure the troops are ready.” He took a deep breath. “Because we’re about to unleash hell.”</div>
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Ryan Warren’s head was pounding. He reached around and massaged the back of his neck, feeling the hard tightness of the knotted muscles under his fingers. He glanced at the chronometer. He’d been at his desk for almost 15 hours, but he wasn’t even close to done. There was a half-eaten sandwich sitting off to the side of workstation, the only food he’d touched all day. It had been there for hours, and the edges were dried out and stale. A stone cold cup of coffee, missing only a few sips, sat next to the plate, equally forgotten.</div>
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<br />Warren had lost 10 kilos since he had taken over Gavin Stark’s job, and he wondered how that master spy had seemed to handle his myriad responsibilities with such effortless grace. He suspected now that had been at least somewhat of a façade, that Stark’s brilliant leadership had come at its own cost. Still, it had been weeks since he’d managed to sleep all night, and he wondered how any man could do this job for as long as Stark had.</div>
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<br />For years Warren had dreamed about being Number One, a goal that had seemed unattainable from his mid-level position in the massive spy agency. Now that circumstance had made his wild ambition a reality, he longed only to flee from the crushing responsibility, to go back to his small office and his old manageable portfolio of work. He’d once ached for the power he imagined Stark wielded, but now, with war raging across the globe and revolution and disorder at home, he saw nothing but endless obligation. No matter what he managed to accomplish, another ten problems were waiting for his attention.</div>
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<br />Things were going downhill. Fast. He’d been Number One for ten months now, but he was still trying to rebuild an Alliance Intelligence ravaged by the nuclear destruction of its headquarters. The personnel losses had been severe, and key agents were missing, even those who shouldn’t have been in Washbalt when HQ was destroyed. There was something wrong, something he couldn’t explain fully. He was sure of that. But he couldn’t figure out what it was.</div>
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<br />The devastated and massively shrunken Alliance Intelligence had only a fraction of its earlier resources, and more problems than ever to address. There was war raging across the globe, and the Alliance had suffered some key defeats, making its position ever more precarious. Young wouldn’t characterize the war to date as a disaster, but he couldn’t say things were going well either.</div>
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<br />The navy had gained control of the seas, largely as a result of Admiral Young’s extraordinary leadership, but the naval victories had been costly, and losses had been high. The remaining fleets were strong enough to control the oceans themselves, but too weak to project force close to land, where the enemy’s ground batteries and missiles could come into play. </div>
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<br />The Cog pacification program had begun to achieve some sporadic successes. The initial implementation had been nothing short of a disaster, the Cog enlisted men disobeying their officers and refusing to execute their kill orders. Warren had overestimated the discipline of the armed forces, assuming the Cog soldiers would do as they were told, out of sheer self-preservation if nothing else. They’d all known the price of disobedience, but many of them had mutinied anyway, and the initial attacks against the rioting Cogs had been a stunning failure.</div>
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<br />Warren’s people had since reestablished control over the kill units, transferring in more crew from the middle classes and the lowest ranks of the political class. His people had taken charge of the captured mutineers from the military authorities, executing them with extreme brutality in front of their fellow soldiers. He knew there was a limit to what such harsh measures could accomplish, that if he pushed too hard, he would only feed rebellion. But time wasn’t on his side, and if he couldn’t scare the soldiers into submission, all would be lost. He’d actually had contingency plans to nuke several cities where the Cog rebellions were the most severe, but President Oliver had put those on hold.</div>
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<br />Oliver had a reputation for strength and intelligence, one Warren now realized was undeserved. The Alliance’s longtime president was a bully with some instinctive political skill, but nothing more. He had maintained power for so many years through momentum and threats, and he’d been lucky not to encounter a capable adversary in that time. The current crisis had entirely overwhelmed him, and he’d lost his nerve more than once when risky actions were called for. Warren had thought about making a move to unseat Oliver, but he hadn’t pulled the trigger. He had no doubt it was the move Gavin Stark would have made, but the last thing Alliance Intelligence’s new chief wanted was more responsibility.</div>
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<br />He had more pressing matters than planning a coup. He’d managed to pacify most of the cities, but there were several problem spots remaining. Manhattan was the worst of all, and the Cogs had rampaged through the Protected Zone in an orgy of rape and murder. The enraged lower classes had fallen on everyone they’d encountered, members of the middle class as well as the Political families and Corporate Magnates. The entire city had been shut down, and the bodies of the unburied dead filled the streets. Even the secure areas occupied by the highest levels of the political classes had been ransacked, their pampered inhabitants brutalized and tortured to death.</div>
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<br />He’d repeatedly sent in kill flights, but the rebellious Cogs had taken refuge underground in the vast network of old rail tunnels that crisscrossed the city. The problem had festered for months now, but he simply didn’t have enough ground troops available to clean out the entrenched Cogs, not with the demands for manpower coming in from the combat zones. Starvation would do his job for him eventually, at least once the surviving Cogs exhausted the dwindling food supplies.</div>
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<br />Diplomacy had been a black mark on his record as well, and he could find little accomplishment there to celebrate. His decimated agency had failed to provide the covert support the Alliance diplomats needed. He knew Li An had gotten the best of him in the race for allies, and her manipulations had helped the CAC assemble a bloc of five Powers lined up against the Alliance and its allies.</div>
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<br />Warren had known the ancient CAC spy was a master manipulator, and he realized she had taken him to school in the frantic espionage that surrounded the various negotiations. The prelude to global war had seen the Powers scrambling for allies, and Li’s CAC had decisively won that struggle.</div>
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<br />The ancient Li An had been a match even for Stark himself, or at least nearly so. No other adversary had challenged Alliance Intelligence’s brilliant master so effectively. Indeed, Warren thought, she may have even gotten the best of him in the end. The perpetrator of the attack that destroyed Alliance Intelligence headquarters and killed Gavin Stark had never been identified, but C1 and its brilliant leader were at the top of everyone’s suspect list. Even without proof, the incident was a major factor in provoking the war now raging across the Earth.</div>
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<br />“Number One, we have a priority one communication for you from Chancellor Schmidt.”<br />His head whipped toward the com unit on his desk. Otto Schmidt was the Chancellor of the Central European League, President Oliver’s counterpart in the CEL.</div>
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<br />“Put him through immediately.” Warren felt a knot in his empty stomach. He could speculate on a number of reasons the CEL Chancellor would contact him, but none of them were good news.<br />“Mr. Warren?” He could hear the exhaustion in the voice on the com, and he could tell immediately there was no AI translating. The Chancellor spoke flawless English with only the slightest accent, a major improvement over Warren’s poor mastery of German.</div>
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<br />“Yes, Mr. Chancellor. This is a rare honor. How may I help you?” His voice was tentative, confused. Schmidt should have rightfully contacted Oliver, not him.</div>
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<br />“I have been unable to reach President Oliver despite several attempts, and it is vital that I speak to someone at the top levels of your government immediately.” They both knew the head of Alliance Intelligence was one of the most powerful members of the government, despite being ranked fairly far down on official lists of seniority.</div>
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<br />Warren held back a sigh. He knew Oliver was nearing a total breakdown, but he couldn’t imagine the fool being unavailable to an allied head of state during wartime. “I am sure I can help you, Chancellor.”</div>
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<br />“Conditions on our eastern front have been deteriorating rapidly as the RIC continues to mobilize and reinforce its armies.”</div>
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<br />“We are aware of the pressure your forces are experiencing on both fronts. As you know, we are increasing our shipments of…”</div>
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<br />“Pardon my interruption, Mr. Warren, but I am aware that your government is doing everything possible to aid our war effort. Unfortunately, the sum total of this is insufficient to alter the tactical situation.” He paused. “Unless we take immediate drastic measures to defeat Europa Federalis, we will be crushed between two enemies.”</div>
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<br />Warren felt his stomach roll at the word drastic. He knew immediately what the Chancellor was going to say, and his mind raced at the likely consequences.</div>
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<br />“As per our treaty obligations, I am advising you that at 11PM Washbalt time, General Werner’s First Army Group will launch an offensive to break through the Europan lines and capture Paris. The attack will be preceded by a hurricane bombardment, including unlimited tactical and intermediate-range nuclear and chemical ordnance.” Schmidt paused for an instant, the gravity of what he was saying laying heavily on him as he spoke. “I have authorized and instructed General Werner to restrict the bombardment to targets of military significance, however, I have also advised him that potential collateral damage resulting from his attack is not a consideration.”</div>
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<br />Warren took a breath. In less than two hours, the CEL’s army was going to unleash a massive bombardment that would kill hundreds of thousands, and probably millions, of Europan civilians. His mind was running wild with the potential consequences. He knew there was no way to stop the CEL from following through. It was their only chance. If they didn’t knock the Europans out of the war, they were finished. If they win a complete victory on the western front, they could rush General Werner and his veterans to the east. Werner was their star commander, and his troops the best they had. Maybe they could at least stalemate the invading RIC armies.</div>
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<br />“Thank you for the notice, Chancellor.” He swallowed hard. “My best wishes to General Werner and his men.” He paused. “And to all of us.”</div>
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<br />“Thank you, Mr. Warren. You will of course pass this on to President Oliver and the other members of your Cabinet?” It was more a statement than a question.</div>
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<br />“Of course, Chancellor.” Schmidt cut the line. Warren sat still for a few seconds, trying to organize his thoughts. He had to get Alliance Intelligence locked down, in case this thing escalated wildly. He punched at his workstation, pulling up the emergency protocols for potential worldwide nuclear exchanges. All the years he’d longed for Stark’s job, and now that he was here, he might find himself presiding over the biggest catastrophe in human history.</div>
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<br />He put his face in his hands. There was one thing he had to do first. He hit the com unit. “I need to see President Oliver. Now.” The fool couldn’t have gotten too far. They were all locked down deep under the Virginia countryside, with Stonewall protocols in full effect. “All personnel are to stop whatever they are doing and locate the president immediately.”</div>
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<br />Warren sighed. The fool was probably drunk or strung out somewhere. Perhaps he had to revisit that coup idea. Oliver was losing his shit, and the Alliance couldn’t afford a leader right now who was caving under the pressure. Warren didn’t want Oliver’s job, but he was beginning to realize he might have to take it anyway.<br /> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527381962058559017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077697825665166262.post-27918966638978923372014-11-11T10:54:00.002-08:002014-11-11T11:01:36.255-08:00Chapter 2 of Crimson Worlds IX: The FallFirst of all, Happy Veterans' Day. The NYC parade is passing under my window even as I type this. It looks great, and it's nice to see veterans get the attention they deserve. Things were a lot different when I was a kid in the 70s, and it's fantastic to see such a change for the better. <br />
<br />
Since I know a lot of my readers are vets, I thought I'd post a second chapter of CW9 today. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Crimson-Worlds-IX-ebook/dp/B00O4K2J4M/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #888888;"><b>The Fall Preorder at Amazon</b></span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1120476745" target="_blank"><b>The Fall Preorder at BN</b></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id925861186" target="_blank"><b>The Fall Preorder at Apple</b></a></div>
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<div class="WordSection1">
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic;">Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Admiral’s Workroom<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">AS Pershing<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Orbiting Columbia, Eta Cassiopeiae II<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Augustus Garret sat at his desk, staring across at General
Catherine Gilson, acting Commandant of the Alliance Marine Corps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been more than half a year, but it was
still a shock to look at that chair and not see Elias Holm sitting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garret and Holm had forged a highly effective
partnership over their years in command of the respective services, and a close
friendship as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Holm was gone,
another friend and comrade lost to the endless wars that seemed to plague man
wherever he went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Garret had seen so many killed in his years of battle there
was nothing left inside but an aching numbness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d witnessed more death and suffering than any man was intended to
endure, but duty owned his soul, and it commanded him ever onward, wherever the
call of battle echoed out to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The struggle against Gavin Stark’s Shadow Legions was his
fourth war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been blooded in the
Second Frontier War, and he’d gotten his first taste of true sacrifice in that
conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d survived that struggle,
and the pain and loss it had caused him, to become a hero leading the massively
expanded fleets of the Third Frontier War.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it wasn’t until the First Imperium War that he became a true legend,
the most feared and celebrated warrior in human space, and perhaps in all
history itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">His list of victories had grown, one great battle after
another won, but no triumph, no m</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">atter how swift or complete, ever seemed to
achieve peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he was at war again,
not facing the robotic legions of long-dead aliens, but against a human
monster, a psychopathic genius bent on total domination of mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never ended, he thought grimly, the
constant sacrifice, the endless bloodshed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now he would lead his people into the fight again, but would victory
this time bring a lasting peace or just more suffering and death?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Gilson was fidgeting nervously, clearly uncomfortable to be
sitting on the fleet flagship while her Marines were preparing to hit the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, she had fully intended
to go down with the first wave, ignoring all objections from her officers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, Garret had prevailed on her that her
duty was to coordinate the entire attack, not to get herself killed in some
pointless gesture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She owed it to her
Marines, he had said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She owed it to
them to stay alive and give them the leadership they needed to win and survive
this new battle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Gilson had been ready to argue, but she, like the rest of
her fellow officers, considered Garret to be the overall Alliance commander,
though officially he only led the navy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unable to ignore Garret’s wishes, she reluctantly agreed to manage the
invasion from the flagship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Augustus
Garret was famous throughout occupied space, the man who had stopped the First
Imperium and saved mankind from total destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elias Holm, Erik Cain – and Gilson herself –
had all won their own share of fame and glory in that terrible conflict, but
Fleet Admiral Garret had received the largest share of acclaim, even from his
own peers, though he wanted none of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Garret hated the hero worship, the senseless acclaim he
received wherever he went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His own
people were the worst offenders, and he’d come to dread that starry eyed look
they gave him, the awestruck silence in the ranks as he passed by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d long ago lost his taste for glory, far
too familiar with its often heartrending price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The victory against the First Imperium had saved humanity, but it had
cost Garret his soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his own mind he
wasn’t a hero; he was a butcher, leading thousands to their deaths and
worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that those sacrifices
were necessary, that they had saved millions, was enough reason to do what he
had done, but not to forgive himself for the cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d sacrificed friendship, even love, to
achieve his victories, and the taste was bitter in his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He’d never forgive himself for what he had done in that
final battle on the frontier, how he’d left his best friend and 40,000 Marines
and naval personnel behind, trapped at the mercy of a massive fleet of First
Imperium vessels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His friends and
comrades had told him again and again he’d had no choice, and Garret himself
knew that was true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no one else
seemed to understand it just didn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some acts were so horrifying, so soul-killing, no amount of
justification could make a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some things you did killed the part of you that made you human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“The first waves will be launching in three minutes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ali Khaled sat next to Gilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The former Caliphate commander, now a
fugitive from his nation along with all his men, sat next to Gilson, staring at
a bank of monitors along the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
showed live shots of the activities in the assault bays, while others displayed
lists of stats and projected launch times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gilson nodded,
her own eyes fixed on the monitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“General Heath is in command of the lead elements.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then-Colonel Heath had served well on
Arcadia, when Gilson’s forces returned from the frontier and reinforced the
battered Marines James Teller and Elias Holm had led to the aid of the locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d given him his star for it, and now he
was commanding the advance elements of the invasion force, proof she thought
grimly, that no good deed goes unpunished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heath’s people would be landing in the teeth of the enemy defenses, and
they’d be outnumbered and under constant fire as they clawed to carve a
foothold for the rest of the forces to land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">James Teller would have been her first choice to command the
vanguard, but he was off with Erik Cain, hunting down Gavin Stark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teller was Cain’s protégé, much as Cain had
been Holm’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Erik decided to hunt
down Gavin Stark, Teller had followed him without a second thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had both men’s stars in her desk, waiting
for them to return and claim them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d
wished more than once that they were with her, helping to lead the Corps into
this new fight, but she understood why they had made the choices they had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, if they were successful in finding and
killing Stark, perhaps they would do more to end this war than the entire
strike force about to invade Columbia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe they could wear those stars again in peacetime, helping her
rebuild the shattered Corps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Nevertheless, Gilson had tried to convince Cain to stay, and
Garret had thrown his own efforts behind hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Erik Cain was as stubborn as any human being who’d ever lived, and
he respectfully declined both their entreaties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Killing Stark was not only vengeance for General Holm, he’d declared,
but the best way to defeat the Shadow Legions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stark had been their enemy for years, secretly plotting against them
before he declared openly and launched his Shadow Legions to conquer occupied
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been a cancer consuming the
body of the navy and the Corps, even as they struggled against the robot
legions of the First Imperium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stark had
worked against them as far back as the Third Frontier War and the rebellions,
engineering Rafael Samuels’ treachery that had almost destroyed the Corps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Lop the head off, Cain had said simply, and the body will
die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There could be no peace while Stark
lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was too capable, too
intelligent – too evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would never
stop, and no victory could be final while he still lived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Garret and Gilson had argued, but they both knew Cain was
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he and Teller succeeded, if
they found and killed Gavin Stark, maybe this war could be stopped before the
last veterans of the Corps and their Janissary allies were gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thousands were already dead, lost in the
endless, brutal battles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps Cain’s
pursuit of vengeance could save the few who remained, and the Corps itself with
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The three officers stared at the monitors, waiting for the
launches to begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an eerie
quiet in the room, an absence that each of them felt keenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all knew Elias Holm was dead, of course,
yet it seemed every time one of them turned around, they expected to see him
standing there, calmly directing the invasion force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been six months, but the loss was
still fresh, a wound that wouldn’t heal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Gilson’s emotions were volatile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite her understanding of his motives and
the potential rewards of his success, she was angry at Cain for leaving her to
fill Holm’s shoes by herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worse, she
envied him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted to hunt Stark
down herself, to kill the psychopathic bastard with her own hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her feelings had been confusing at first,
threatening to tear her apart, but she’d made peace with the whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cain was the right one to pursue Stark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been close to Holm, a loyal officer
and a comrade through decades of brutal fighting, but Erik Cain had been like a
son to the fallen Commandant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was his
right to go after Stark, even more than hers, and she’d come to realize and
accept that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Besides, Cain was the right man for the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grim Marine had a dark side, a coldness
and a relentless determination Gilson knew she couldn’t match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cain would follow every lead, and he would do
whatever had to be done to track his prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever had to be done - those were dangerous words, ones she wasn’t
sure she could back up with the brutal ferocity she knew Cain would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Admiral Garret, General Heath requests permission to
commence his launch, sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tara Rourke’s
voice was clear and confident on the comlink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’d been Garret’s flag tactical officer for several years now, and
he’d declared more than once that she was the best junior officer who’d ever
served under him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Garret glanced across the desk at Gilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s your order, General.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flipped a button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your link is live.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Gilson nodded softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Attention all Marines, this is General Catherine Gilson.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marines had liberated a number of smaller
worlds over the past six months, but this was the first major planetary assault
since Arcadia and Armstrong, and she could feel the tension in her gut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are about to liberate one of the oldest
and most populated colony worlds in human-occupied space, a planet that has
seen more than its share of war and destruction in its century of human
habitation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hoped it was still one
of the most populated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The enemy had
been there for 18 months, and the Columbians were well-known for their
willingness to resist, whatever the cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was deathly afraid they had paid that cost in blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“As always, you have my utmost confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are battered and tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have all suffered terrible losses and
grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have fought without rest,
struggled from one end of human space to the other and even into the First
Imperium itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No men and women could
be expected to do what you have done, let alone more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are Marines first, and men and women
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the final accounting, that is
all that matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marines are always
ready to do the job, to fight whatever battles must be fought.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She paused, taking a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And there are struggles yet to be won.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She hesitated, pushing back the tears she could feel welling
up in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know that General
Holm would be proud to see you all today, ready to fight another battle for
freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know as you go forward into the
fight once again that he is with you, as he will be forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the Marines he helped to make you,
and I know you will live up to that standard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She glanced over at Khaled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“In this fight, as in our last one, we have allies, men who once fought
against us, but now stand at our sides as friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are honorable warriors who march to the
fire alongside us, and they have earned our trust and our respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are grateful for their aid and proud to
fight at their sides.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She swallowed hard and sucked in another breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go now, and fight with the valor all have
come to expect from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go and free our
people on Columbia and destroy the Shadow Legion invaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show the enemy just what Marines can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forward, to victory.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cut the line and turned toward Garret and
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Commence the landing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">All around Columbia, men and women sprang into action at
Gilson’s order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Transports fired their
thrusters, moving into low orbits, positioning themselves to launch their
Marine and Janissary contingents into Columbia’s upper atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Escort ships maneuvered to cover their
movements, providing protection and close support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farther out, the battlefleets and logistical
trains were moved into position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Columbia was surrounded by almost all the military might
Garret and Gilson could muster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
combined fleet was divided into three task forces plus the former Caliphate
ships under Admiral Abbas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an
awesome display of naval power, and Garret was practically daring Stark to come
out of hiding with his fleet and offer battle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Taskforce One was commanded by Elizabeth Arlington, and it
was in close orbit, protecting the transport armada. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The troopships themselves were in a long line,
ready to begin launching dropships into the upper atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marines and Janissaries onboard were
suited up and loaded onto their landing craft, waiting for the final
order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arlington’s warships were in high
orbit, covering the transports from any enemy that might slip past the heavier
fleet units on station farther out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Taskforce Two, under Admiral Michael Jacobs, had been the
first units to approach the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’d conducted a pre-invasion bombardment, blasting any enemy
positions they could identify and target without undue danger to civilian
populations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob’s ships were on the
move now, half pulling away from the planet to rearm, the rest taking position
to provide support to the Marines on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Taskforce Three, under Camille Harmon, was the largest, with
most of the heavy capital ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Harmon’s force was organized for one mission, and one mission only, to
blast the hell out of any enemy ships that tried to interfere with the invasion
force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her units were posted about three
light minutes from the planet, along with Abbas’ Caliphate ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hadn’t detected any enemy naval
presence, but they were on full alert anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Garret and Harmon were aware of Stark’s unpredictability, and they
weren’t taking any chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harmon had
scoutships patrolling the entire system, and her combat elements were ready to
destroy any naval force than entered the system without authorization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Garret stared at his screen, though he’d committed every
detail of the fleet and operation to memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew every ship under his command, and its position and its
orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His people were ready for
whatever had to be done, and Gilson’s as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That wasn’t what worried him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
the supply situation was becoming dire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was watching numbers scroll slowly across the screen, and his frown
deepened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Provisioning Gilson’s Marines for the invasion had almost
depleted the fleet’s stores, and many of his own ships carried half-loads of
missiles and other ordnance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d tried
to contact the high command on Earth a dozen times, but he’d been unable to get
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no shipments of
supplies coming through, no orders, no news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d tried to focus on the crises at hand, but now he was really
worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">What was happening on Earth? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Good luck, Marines!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Captain Harlow’s voice echoed loudly in the helmets of the Marines of A
and B companies of the 3rd Battalion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were the leading edge of the first wave, the first 350 men and
women scheduled to hit the ground on Columbia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The tradition of the ship’s captain wishing the strike force
luck had come down from the earliest days of the spaceborne Corps, and it had
endured through three Frontier Wars, the struggle against the First Imperium,
and now the battle to defeat Gavin Stark’s Shadow Legions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Lieutenant Callahan gritted his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew the captain’s address was the final
thing he’d hear before the catapults fired and launched the heavy Liggett
10-man landers out into the edge of space above Columbia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Callahan was a veteran who’d fought in the
rebellions as a private and the First Imperium War as a non-com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d received a battlefield promotion during
the fighting on Armstrong, a reward bestowed on him by none other than the
legendary Erik Cain himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He exhaled hard as the magnetic cannon accelerated his
lander down the rails and through the open outer doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His armor absorbed some of the g-forces, but
he was still slammed back hard inside his suit, losing his breath for a few
seconds before he adjusted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the
same with every assault landing, but it was something you never got completely
used to, no matter how many drops you made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Callahan had no illusions about what he and his people faced
down on Columbia’s surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
all veterans, and they would do what had to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the honor of leading the advance guard
carried a heavy price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew
casualties would be high, very high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
if the first Marines down failed to secure a perimeter, they could all be
overwhelmed before the fleet could send down enough units to strengthen the
landing zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the invasion of
Columbia failed, if the enemy put up too strong of a defense and General Gilson
called off the rest of the landings, Callahan knew his people would all be
KIA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that because he was damned
sure none of them would surrender.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Callahan glanced at his display, watching the five landers
carrying his platoon descend into Columbia’s atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The formation looked good, and they seemed to
be right on schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If everything went
according to plan, they’d be on the ground and in action in less than ten
minutes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He felt the lander bounce hard to one side, as it tore
through the thickening air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Liggett
landing craft was an improvement on the old Gordons, carrying ten armored
Marines and a large cargo of ammunition and equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With four heavy duty laser turrets and enough
ordnance to keep a squad supplied for hours, the Liggett was designed to land
right in the teeth of an enemy position, blasting away in close support as its
squad jumped right into battle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Projected landing in six minutes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice was female, calm and pleasant,
typical for a fleet AI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Callahan knew
everyone in the first wave had gotten the same announcement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a deep breath, preparing himself once
again for battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew his people
were ready, that all the Corps was prepared to do what had to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart had swelled with pride when General
Gilson addressed them, when she had invoked the name of Elias Holm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Commandant had been beloved by every
Marine in the Corps, and Callahan and his people were ready to lash out at the
enemy that had taken their leader from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Corps would fight on Columbia with its usual tenacity and
professionalism, but there would be something else here too, a ferocity driven
by their pain of loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marines was
here to do battle for Elias Holm, and God help any who stood in their way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Four minutes until projected landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Marines, complete final diagnostic check
on weapons system.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Callahan’s visor plate opened, and he could see the bright
blue sky above Columbia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was held
rigidly in place, but he managed to glance down toward the ground as he checked
his weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was water below,
nothing but a seemingly endless sea stretching as far as he could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew his people were still thousands of
kilometers from the inhabited areas of the planet, tearing through the
atmosphere at 40,000 kph heading for the LZ just outside the capital city of
Weston.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He could feel the lander’s maneuvering thrusters kick in,
and the small craft begin to zigzag wildly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were entering the inner defensive perimeter, and the Liggett’s AI
was conducting evasive maneuvers, trying to avoid the incoming AA fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could see the laser turrets whipping
around, and he caught the barely perceptible flash of one of them firing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that had probably been a
surface-to-air missile heading for his lander and, in the back of his mind, he
suspected that laser blast had saved his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His and those of the other nine Marines bolted in next to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">There was land below the Liggett now, and he could see they
were much closer to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could
make out terrain features ahead, and he tried to match them with the maps he
studied in the pre-mission briefing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Two minutes to landing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">His own com unit activated, allowing him to contact the men
and women of his platoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was about to
speak when he saw a bright flash off to the extreme right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes snapped back to his display, and he
felt his stomach in his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were only four Liggett’s displayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lander 4 was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The shock of battle hit him hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d understood they were going back into the
fight, but it never seemed real until somebody got hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it was official.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were back in the shit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Alright, Marines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stay focused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got a job to
do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all he could think about was
the crew of ship four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hiller, Haggerty,
Ash – Ash had saved his life on Armstrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now they were all gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Thirty seconds to landing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The AI snapped him back to the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a job to do, and that came first,
before everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ten of his people
were dead, but the rest were counting on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was time to make these sons of bitches pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now the men and women of A Company had
one more reason to waste these motherfuckers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">He felt the Liggett’s braking rockets fire and then the
slow, sickening drop as the lander floated down the last 30 meters, settling
hard in the soft ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was fire
ripping all around them, the enemy already moving on the LZ determined to pinch
it out before a second wave could get down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Let’s go!” he shouted into the com, leaping from the lander
and whipping around his assault rifle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Company A…attack!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The Marines were back on Columbia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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