by Travis Hill
Lt. Jan Mikkelsen (M) - Tactical commander, TCN Raiden
Lt. Genzebe Aweke (M) - Tactical commander, TCN Raiden
Lt. Marcia Ken (F) - Communications, TCN Raiden
Lt. Commander David Anders (M) - Logistics officer, TCN Raiden
TCN Hyam Wolski (HBS, 800 crew)
Captain Emera Benka (F)
XO Franklin Gaustaud (M)
TCN Sunrise (BS, 400 crew)
Captain Evgeni Yurikov (M)
XO Kim Heong (F)
TCN Xenix (BS, 400 crew)
Captain Talia Rudinsky (F)
XO Bethany Farmer (F)
TCN Fariss (BS, 400 crew)
Captain Aramus Heidelberg (M)
XO Trang Phom Pen (M)
TCN Gemini (BS, 400 crew)
Captain Lionel Hawzri (M)
XO Sharon Dala (F)
TCN Hercules (C, 1200 crew):
22nd Starfighter Wing (100)
31st Starfighter Wing (100)
7th Logistics Wing (25)
Captain Devin Fitzhugh (M)
XO Marion Thannis (M)
TCN San Antonio (C, 1200 crew):
137th Starfighter Wing (100)
404th Starfighter Wing (100)
12th Bomber Wing (35)
TCN Hyperion (SC, 2000 crew):
91st Bomber Wing (35)
92nd Bomber Wing (35)
98th Heavy Bomber Wing (20)
109th Heavy Bomber Wing (20)
4th Logistics Wing (25)
Scout Wing Delta (12)
TCN Iridium (Dread, 21 crew)
TCN Etherium (Dread, 30 crew)
TCN Tyson (Dread, 24 crew)
TCN Forenza (BC, 55 crew)
TCN Rialta (BC, 55 crew)
TCN Sikorsky (BC, 55 crew)
TCN Honor (BC, 55 crew)
16 cruisers (32 crew each)
8 destroyers (20 crew each)
8 frigates (7 crew each)
4 automated drone carriers (0 crew)
(HBS = heavy battleship / BS = battleship / C = carrier / SC = supercarrier / Dread = dreadnought / BC = battlecruiser)
(crew sizes indicate normal operational strength)
Core Admiral Lem Karlsson - UCSF Commander (Earth)
AFTERWORD
Well… I don’t really know what to say for once. If you’ve read “End of the Line” before this, you probably know it was written during an extremely dark period in my life. I knew it was going to be a dark, depressing, bleak, and ugly story—one that would upset (and sometimes infuriate) a good number of readers.
But, as mentioned in EotL’s afterword, I also knew there was a lot more to the story. Near the end of writing it, I came up with a number of ideas of where this story/universe should go. The one thing I knew for sure was that it would be a lot of work to draw readers back in after EotL’s ending. Most who wrote to me about the story were optimistic that not all was lost for humanity, and I guess now I can say “you were right!”
Human beings are sneaky, wily, adaptable, revenge-minded bastards who will go far above and beyond what is necessary to ensure our own individual survival. “Launch Sequence” is the first step toward such a goal for the humans of the Terran Coalition. “Genesis-6” is the next step, and that story is coming soon (before the end of 2017). “Killswitch” and “Rebirth” (both are working titles) will follow soon after. I sincerely hope that you will come back around when each book is released just to see how it all turns out!
THANKS & STUFF
First and foremost, thanks to Sirena Long-Diehl for helping me to edit/proof this story. Without her, this story would likely seem like it was written in crayon by a child who ate too much sugar. Sirena has become a real life (book) saver over the last couple of months, as an author can only do so much on his or her own before the words begin to blur together to the point smashing a heavy rock into our skulls feels like the only way to make the madness stop. For those of us who have already repeatedly smashed our own heads in with heavy rocks because of this type of situation happening regularly, a person like Sirena is always in demand to make sure you readers don’t detect that we’ve suffered massive brain damage.
Jeff Brown (www.jeffbrowngraphics.com) came through with another awesome cover. He nailed exactly what I imagined in my head when I described to him the CIC / command chair stuff from LS-II. He’s already painted a cover for another series (“It’s Harder This Way”), and is working right now on the sequel (“It’s Darker This Way”).
“Genesis-6” already has a cover (by Trevor Smith), but I have no doubt Jeff will be back for “Killswitch” and “Rebirth” covers to finish out this series.
As always, my awesome superhero wife, Carly, has once again propped me up and kept me going for one more book. She’s the shoulder I need to lean on, the friend I bitch and moan to when shit is going bad, and the best friend I’ve ever had. She was also named “Idaho History Teacher of the Year - 2016” which annoys her because I make sure EVERYONE knows it. I try to not be a jackass about it, but you know how it is when you’re extremely proud of something a loved one has accomplished. She’s inspired over a thousand students to better themselves so far in her career, and I have no doubt she’ll continue that trend until she retires.
Thanks to everyone who read LS-I and/or LS-II during the long process of writing, editing, and finalizing the stories. You know who you are.
And finally, thanks to you, whomever you are, for taking a chance and cracking open this book. I hope it was worth the hours you spent reading, and as mentioned earlier, I hope you’ll be back with each new book to continue the journey.
Travis Hill
May 15, 2017
Boise, ID
https://www.angrygames.com - website / mailing list
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All books are available in ebook format from all major retailers. If a title is listed free here but is not free at your retailer of choice, please email me at [email protected]. Tell me which format you need (or ereader device you’ll be using) and I’ll send it for free.
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(* paperback version available)
The Big Bhang*:
Jeremy Jefferson Jacobs Jackson--Forjay to everyone but his mother--grew the most potent marijuana on Earth. Some said the entire Federation of Allied Planets. When the Galactic Union declares humanity unfit to exist, only one man has what it takes to be a true hero to the citizens of FAP.
Join Forjay, Ms. Marianna Templeton, Ambassador Dave Thatcher, and a large, diverse, generally annoying cast of the Galactic Union's alien species on an adventure that spans both time and the space. Relish in the glory of victory, plunge to the lowest depths of despair in defeat, and scream insults at stupid, uppity, snooty, gloppy alien jerks who act like they're better than human beings (and think they're tough).
*** Definitely Fake Editorial Reviews of "The Big Bhang" ***
"I didn't understand this book at all..." - Fijj Yom, Wroglarian (a dumb alien species not affected by weed)
"There's a lot of commas and long sentences in this book!" - some reader who complained about commas and long sentences
"This book is not funny." - NYPD Patrol Officer Gary Garrison
"Bark bark bark growl. Bark!" - NYPD Drug Canine Mr. Fang
"This is the lowest form of propaganda, the kind only a weak, mewling race of soup-filled meatbags would dare to popularize." - Tyx War General Boomz Blasterton
"Reading this book is the dumbest thing you could ever do." - the author of this book
"I don't get it... I raised Travis better than this!" - the author's mother
BONUS CONTENT? MAYBE! WHO KNOWS?:
"Smash & Grab & Steal & Loot"
"Dragons Are Not Your Friends"
"
Bears Are Not Your Friends Either"
"Zombie D-7"
*****
Departure:
Today is my 40th birthday. It's also my last day on Earth.
I get to do anything I want today, within reason, as long as I make it to the portal before my time is up.
What I want is to spend the day with Cara and my two young children.
I don't know what awaits on the other side of the portal, I only know that certain death awaits me here if I refuse to go.
Light adult content
14,600 word short story/novella
*****
Countdown:
"Countdown" is a companion story to "Departure."
Andreada is only 20 and looking forward to the second half of her life before she has to step through the portal into the unknown. She's young, in love with Navine, and leads the typical care-free life of those who reside in the city. After a terrible mistake, she is left with only two choices: step into the Justice portal reserved for criminals and misfits, or flee to The Bower district, a lawless undercity with no rules, no laws, and no place for a scared young woman on the run from the authorities.
22,000 words / 75 pages
Adult themes / language
LGBT-friendly
"Departure" - book 1 of the Arrival series (available everywhere)
"Countdown" - book 2 of the Arrival series (this book)
"Arrival" - book 3 of the Arrival series (coming soon!)
*****
End of the Line:
For fifty years, humanity fought alongside the Hanura and The Seven against the Kai. With the Hanura wiped from the galaxy and The Seven falling soon after, the Terran Coalition now stands alone against a superior enemy... an enemy that has pledged the complete extermination of mankind.
Driven back to Earth, the last remaining human world, Private Dana Lofgren and the remnants of the 307th fight their way through rugged terrain and impossible odds. With nowhere to run and the enemy closing in, they have no choice but to keep going until they reach the end of the line...
60,000 words / 200 pages
Adult themes / profanity / violence
*****
Portal Wars #1:
An archaeological dig in the desert of Arizona uncovers a mysterious object.
A brief burst of light coincides with a sudden intrusion of the United States Military's most secure networks.
A new test at CERN near Geneva opens a strange underground portal.
Chaos reigns as frightening alien machines begin their invasion.
Portal Wars #1 is the first novella in a new "pulp" science fiction serial from Travis Hill.
28,500 words / 90 pages
(ongoing serial)
Adult language / violence / mature themes
*****
Diabolus*:
Salvatore Domenico Antonelli is a disgraced ex-bishop, demoted and exiled to the farthest reaches of the Nicaraguan jungles for his sins against God and the Church.
Benito Felipe Castillo is a new breed of tech-priest from the ghettos of Barcelona, freshly graduated from Seminary, ready to serve the Vatican as an artificial intelligence specialist.
Tasked by the Vatican to confront DAMON-1, a nuclear-capable AI that claims to be Satan incarnate, returned to the physical world to bring about Armageddon, the two clergy must battle to restore DAMON and purge Satan from the enslaved AI's core.
The bishop is forced to play a deadly game with billions of lives in the balance, while the young priest must confront Satan's digital persona within the network.
The eternal conflict between good and evil, fought in the space between time, will bring humanity and their AI creations to the dawn of a new age... or to the brink of annihilation.
"The Exorcist" meets "Skynet" meets "The Matrix" in this thought-provoking new science fiction thriller by Travis Hill.
66,000 words / 200 pages
Teen+ appropriate
*****
It's Better This Way:
Twenty-three years ago, the 'bulls' appeared in orbit and destroyed Earth's infrastructure in less than ten seconds. These days, the alien invaders aren't as much of a problem as the surviving humans are.
Evan Greggs learns that things aren't always as bad as they seem, but sometimes the choices to be made are as murky as they are difficult when it comes to living on The Farm, a community of survivors near the Cascade Mountains in central Oregon.
When a detachment of the old United States Army arrives with new information about the invaders, the citizens of The Farm are tasked with making another hard choice.
24,000 word novella
LGBTQ Friendly
*****
It's Harder This Way:
The sequel to "It's Better This Way" finally arrives after a five year wait!
What seems at first to be a simple mission to destroy Base Charlie quickly becomes a test of inner strength and morality. Evan Greggs' resolve to end the potential threat Base Charlie and the remains of the United States Army poses to The Farm is further hampered by the army's modern amenities and Colonel Rebecca Collins.
Evan questions his place at both The Farm and Base Charlie, but the real questions are those concerning the Bulls -- and no one has been able to guess the alien invaders' intentions or motivations for the last twenty-three years.
*****
Eight Hour Fiction #1:
Two stories inspired by a J.A. Konrath challenge to write, edit, create a cover, and publish a short story in eight hours or less.
1. A Career Move - A crash-landed alien tries to find his career path but isn't having much luck...
3072 word short story (teen+ appropriate)
2. Capture At The Hive - The Evil Queen Mother has finally captured General Megatron, Defender of the Galaxy.
421 word flash fiction story (safe for children)
*****
Eight Hour Fiction #2:
The Eight Hour Challenge, inspired by best-selling author J.A. Konrath, is back! If you enjoyed "Eight Hour Fiction #1,” and want more of the story, look no further that this new Kindle Unlimited exclusive:
"Friends With Benefits" (5,560 words, teen+) - Gxkxl the hapless alien is back, and this time he's found his niche as a mob enforcer for a local Russian crew. Between intimidation and polishing his comedy, Gxkxl makes a new friend to confide in.
"General Megatron #2" (1,394 words, safe for children) - General Megatron's escape from the Doom Lord's prison of tortures is compromised by the Evil Queen Mother, but the wily general is no stranger to hopeless situations.
Stay tuned for monthly installments of the ongoing adventures of Gxkxl and General Megatron!
*****
Eight Hour Fiction #3:
The Eight Hour Challenge, inspired by best-selling author J.A. Konrath is back!
Eight Hour Fiction #3's September entry is a departure from the usual stories about Gxkxl the alien and General Megatron (don't worry, they'll be back soon!):
1. It Only Hurts In Your Heart - When animal liberation extremist release the wrong group of laboratory animals into the wild, chaos ensues. In this sad, bleak tale of Mike & Janelle Chambers, told through Mike's eyes, the world winds down with a whimper instead of a bang.
3,829 word apocalyptic short story
Teen+ (light explicit language)
2. Cat Dreams - Ever wonder what your cat dreams about? I think about it all the time, to the point I've invented a new device capable of allowing me to experience the dreams of The Dude, my five year old orange & white tabby. There just might be some other uses for it as well...
1,349 word flash fiction story
All ages
*****
Eight Hour Fiction #4:
Inspired by a JA Konrath challenge to write, edit, create a cover, and publish a short story in eight hours or less, the "Eight Hour Fiction" challenge is back!
1. "Mergers & Acquisitions" (8,813 words, Teen+) - Gxkxl is back for a final chapter (for now).
With his reproductive cycle coming to an end, Gxkxl, Desiree, and Rebecca are forced to plan for an uncertain future.
2. "General Megatron #3" (1,386 words, children's story) - Block Seven, the galaxy's worst prison, holds more than just the galaxy's most vaunted hero. The general's luck, while tenuous at best, might have finally run out...
*****
Eight Hour Fiction #5:
Welcome to another "Eight Hour Fiction" edition, inspired by JA Konrath's original "Eight Hour Challenge." Volume #5 is another slight departure from the usual round of short stories. This month's entry contains two novellas to satisfy your reading pleasure. Each story began as shorts for the EHF Challenge, and both have morphed into full-length novels (which are scheduled to be released before the end of 2014).