Dark Space
Steampunk Science Fiction
Anthem Press
September 12, 2019
2134
HUMANITY IS DEFEATED
Ten years ago the Sythians invaded the galaxy with one goal: to wipe out the human race.
THEY ARE HIDING
Now the survivors are hiding in the last human sector of the galaxy: Dark Space--once a place of exile for criminals, now the last refuge of mankind.
THEY ARE ISOLATED
The once galaxy-spanning Imperium of Star Systems is left guarding the gate which is the only way in or out of Dark Space--but not everyone is satisfied with their governance.
AND THEY ARE KILLING EACH OTHER
Freelancer and ex-convict Ethan Ortane is on the run. He owes crime lord Alec Brondi 10,000 sols, and his ship is badly damaged. When Brondi catches up with him, he makes an offer Ethan can't refuse. Ethan must infiltrate and sabotage the Valiant, the Imperial Star Systems Fleet carrier which stands guarding the entrance of Dark Space, and then his debt will be cleared. While Ethan is still undecided about what he will do, he realizes that the Imperium has been lying and putting all of Dark Space at risk. Now Brondi's plan is starting to look like a necessary evil, but before Ethan can act on it, he discovers that the real plan was much more sinister than what he was told, and he will be lucky to escape the Valiant alive. . . .
“Six books in three years. It’s been a wild ride, and I couldn’t be more thankful.”, that was an intro from the author and what kind of journey it had been to have over 60 hours of good reading in total shutdown here in France.
Nothing will be as expected from this author in his world. A teenager can use “holoskin” to pretend to be over hundred year old Supreme Overlord – The Head of Galaxian Empire and God Omnious who has given selected humans immortality isn’t even the actual God. He is just some programmer, who created AI.
Humanity is in war with Syntians, who use their Gor slaves to concur and kill humans. The last sanctuary – “Dark Space” was ruled by gangster Brondi who takes over Supreme Overlord spaceship “Valiant” by killing most of the crew by virus.
After imposter wearing Supreme Overlord holoskin is later discovered and Admiral Heston becomes the ruler of humanity. But he is actually one of the clones and is over one million year old and will be later killed by Syntians.
When Gors are freed from their Syntian master, they join humans and together they win first battle for Dark Space. Now Syntians are more pleased to slave humans rather than Gors as it will be impossible to detect Syntian slave chip inside human brain.
And Syntians want to get more slaves from the secret humans colony somewhere called Avilon and ruled by God Omnious.
But there are “resistance” against God Omnious, so they shut down the computer called “Omnious” with virus happening during Syntians attack to Avilon.
This God created Avilon is representing current Western Society, where there is “elite” – who have right for information, “immortals zone”, who let their everyday lives run by Omnious and “null zone” of mortals, who are promised to be free of Omnious rules.
In “immortals zone”, people greeting each other with worlds: “Hail Omnious” and “Omnious Grando Est”, but the “null zone” is actually managed by Omnious by selling drug called “Bliss”. Bliss makes those, who do not afford it anymore “Psychos”, who are like Zombies and those are living below 10th level of Avalon.
And finally Therious – The Redemptor from old humans bring Syntians, Gors and last human refugees together to fight against “Self Nominated God” Omnious. Because he is actually Etherus, the right God who created humanity.
With lot of space battles, good fist fights and lot of plot twists will turn this masterpiece worth to read.