The Coalition

Series · 14

books · 2019-2023

By Tim C. Taylor, Alex Rath, Kevin Steverson, and more

Books in series

Hide the Lightning

2019

Harmon Tomeral, along with his friends and allies, continues to develop the forces of Salvage System, for its own defense and—if the cause is just—to defend others. Humans and aliens working together would seem novel…but then again, outside of Earth and the Sol System, humans are aliens, too. Having salvaged, repaired, and rebuilt a number of warships, the Salvage Fleet is a presence to be reckoned with. The Ground Force, including its specialty unit, the Bolts, has also continued to grow, and they spend their time training with the weapons of war—mechs, tanks, artillery, and battle armor—and anything else they can get their hands and paws on that will give them an edge in battle. When the Nazrooth System calls, they are once again compelled to right a wrong. It won’t be easy…but then again, it never is. Just don’t tell Harmon the odds—he doesn’t want to know them. Despite a staggering imbalance in forces, Harmon boards his flagship, Salvage Title, and leads the majority of his fleet to free Nazrooth. Only a small, defensive fleet is left behind, full of trainees and reservists. Both Salvage Fleet and the home forces are ready to face the odds, but what if this time they’re insurmountable?

The Scales of Justice

2020

Out from the shadows! The Serpentes have long felt that isolation was the best way to survive in the galaxy, but a traitor’s actions have revealed their presence to the universe, and Admiral El’Jyiurma of the Serpentes Space Navy has traveled to Gieliv to prevent a terrorist incident from being inflicted on the humans there. She returns home triumphant, but there is trouble brewing—the Serpentes face peril from both internal and external forces, and El’Jyiurma finds herself caught up in the middle. With word of their existence growing, they catch the attention of a race they’d rather not meet. At the same time, they must battle the hatred and fear that automatically comes from humans, based merely on their appearance. Fearing an invasion from outside forces, President Frazier of Gieliv sends a desperate plea to the Serpentes, requesting help to bolster their weak navy. With a potential attack looming, the king of the Serpentes sends El’Jyiurma to the Gieliv system to foster diplomatic relations and help defend Gieliv. Hard choices have to be made, and El’Jyuirma is in the hot seat. Which is the more significant threat, and how can it be stopped? A wrong choice could lead to the end of the Serpentes civilization, and El’Jyiurma has little time to decide.

Through the Gate

2020

Harmon Tomeral and his friends wanted nothing more than to go to space, and they have beaten the odds, time and again, to get there. They developed a mech and won the Top Fleet Marine Competition. They brought back a battlecruiser from an unknown system and made it their own. They made allies who helped them achieve great victories, and they ultimately founded new colonies in what has become known as the Salvage System. Salvage System is a beacon of hope, and a number of other races continue looking toward it as an inspiration for how to live and govern themselves, and—in some cases—for assistance in defending themselves and throwing off oppressive regimes. But the galaxy is a big place, and many of the races in it aren’t friendly. Would these forces like to take over Salvage System and acquire its resources? Absolutely. Fifteen incredible authors take you further into the Salvage Title universe, giving you looks at some of the beacons of hope…and some of the malevolence that has yet to show its face. Can Harmon Tomeral and his friends hold out against it? Take a look inside and find out!

Hesitation

2020

The Quest Continues! Dahkal, an eight-and-a-half-foot winged warrior, is undergoing the Imperial Journey of Succession—a quest to learn the art of leadership he must undertake prior to assuming the crown of emperor for his people—and his search for honor and adventure continues, accompanied by his unlikely alien companion, a human named Ryan. But all is not as it seems, as his brother has designs on the crown—plans that don’t include Dahkal returning from his Journey—and he has set in motion a stratagem to take the crown for himself. After winning the battle on Pergus and surviving an encounter in an uncharted system, Dahkal and Ryan arrive in the Salvage System to acquire a new contract. Having defied the odds twice on complicated missions, a contract for a simple cargo pick-up should be easy, especially with the new crew they hired, right? But—like the journey to achieve the crown—there are people who’d like to take the cargo for their own—and over Dahkal’s dead body, if that’s what it takes. While they wait for their battlecruiser to be built, can the crew of the frigate Winged Fury stand up to a ship built for war, or will Dahkal’s brother’s plans come to pass?

Action

2020

It was an easy job—until the pirates showed up—but ultimately, Dahkal and Ryan completed their contract on the planet Ruul and ended up with the mining rights to the entire planet. But when their new Emerald Dragons mercenary company returned to the Salvage System, they found Dahkal’s sister, Reuan, waiting for them. As only the heir of Shein is ever allowed to leave the Sheinrah System, the question was…why was she there? When Dahkal learns of his father’s death in the Battle of Ascension with his brother, Gortal, Dahkal knows he must return home to put an end to Gortal’s tyrannical ways…or die trying. And it definitely won’t be easy, for Gortal has the might of the Sheingal military at his disposal, and, as Dahkal and Ryan well know, nothing ever goes according to plan. But when the pirates return to Ruul, Dahkal’s loyalties will be tested. Will he take care of the people who put their trust in him, or will he cast them aside to challenge his brother? With several missions to complete, Dahkal will have to put together a force able to overcome the odds, while simultaneously accepting the loss of his father, protecting those around him, and retaining what’s his. Can Dahkal, Ryan, and their band of misfit mercenaries prevail over their biggest challenge yet, or will they lose everything they’ve worked for…and more?

Smuggler's Run

A Salvage Title Universe Novel

2021

Rippleton Torn has a couple of problems—he loves the ladies and he loves to gamble. Unfortunately, while he’s pretty good with the ladies, he’s not a great gambler, and he’s just lost his ship in a card game. That’s a problem because—somehow—he still needs to deliver a cargo he has contracted. On the plus side, he won a night of unbridled passion with a Davini. When he finds that Davini women aren’t built like humans and what that night would entail, well, Ripp needs a ship…fast. Vann Hagar, captain of the Eagle, needs a cargo after his last job went south. He thinks he’s struck gold when Ripp contracts him to deliver a shipment of guns. Then the Davini and her bodyguards show up and everything begins to spiral out of control. Thus begins the tale of two smugglers who are just trying to make that perfect score so they can live out their dream lives. That is, if they can stay out of trouble. What are the odds? If the past is any indication…not good.

Shedding the Past

2021

With things calm outside the Strorix system—at least for now—Queen El’Jyiurma has time to work on things at home. She has new hatchlings to take care of as well as a growing empire, and she has her coils full. The Gnevusin threat isn’t over, though. The only questions are how long will they wait to attack, and will it be long enough for the ships the Serpentes have coming to be brought into service? With new ships on the way, and not enough crews, the Strorix Royal Navy welcomes its first humans to its ranks, but not every Serpentes is ready for the change. Can the humans withstand the pressure and stick with it to become SRN officers? Cadet Shawn Savage, for one, knew the road wouldn’t be easy when he was accepted into the accelerated track, but he had no idea what was waiting for him…or who. And, if that wasn’t enough, El’Jyiurma comes across information that will shake the very roots of the Strorix system to its core. She was chosen as the leader, and now she faces her most difficult challenge since taking the crown. Will she rise to the challenge, or will the Serpentes’ civilization be destroyed by the centuries-old secret?

It Takes All Kinds

2021

It Takes All Kinds…Of Aliens! Harmon Tomeral and his friends wanted nothing more than to go to space, and they have beaten the odds, time and again. They developed a mech and won the Top Fleet Marine Competition. They brought back a battlecruiser from an unknown system and made it their own. They made allies who helped them achieve great victories, and they ultimately founded new colonies in what has become known as the Salvage System. The galaxy is a big place, though, peopled with thousands of races, and most haven’t graced the pages of a Salvage Title book…until now. “It Takes All Kinds” contains fourteen all-new stories showcasing some of the aliens in the Salvage Universe, and helps give a wider view of the galaxy as events continue to transpire in The Coalition series. From smugglers you’ve seen before to races and their pets that you haven’t, one thing’s for sure—Harmon Tomeral will be there to stick up for the little guy. From aliens looking for that special guitar to AI’s looking for a little more life, it’s all in here. Just remember, though—Laney ain’t recruiting! Inside are potential allies for Harmon Tomeral and his friends…as well as some of the adversaries who are lining up against Salvage System. Who are these new races? Take a look inside and find out!

#10

Salvage Mother

2021

Across the galaxy, hell hath no fury like a mother protecting her young, no matter the race! Harmon Tomeral and the crew of Salvage Title embark on an exploration of an anomalous system discovered by young Bahroot. Unlike the vast majority of gated systems, this one was not on the list of coordinates publicly available on the Galactic Network. Meanwhile, Siva, a fighter pilot and new mother in a binary system on the edge of the galaxy is forced to make a decision. She chooses to do what it takes to save her babies…at all costs. With Salvage Fleet repaired and growing, training is ongoing for the newest fleet members. Salvage System is quiet and its allies are experiencing the same, so Harmon decides a little old fashioned salvaging is called for. An unknown system with no gate usage in centuries. What could go wrong?

#11

It Takes More Kinds

2021

It Takes Even More Kinds…Of Aliens!Harmon Tomeral and his friends wanted nothing more than to go to space, and they have beaten the odds, time and again. They developed a mech and won the Top Fleet Marine Competition. They brought back a battlecruiser from an unknown system and made it their own. They made allies who helped them achieve great victories, and they ultimately founded new colonies in what has become known as the Salvage System.The galaxy is a big place, though, peopled with thousands of races, and most haven’t graced the pages of a Salvage Title book…until now.“It Takes More Kinds” contains twelve all-new stories showcasing even more of the aliens in the Salvage Universe, and helps give a wider view of the galaxy as events continue to transpire in The Coalition series. No matter the odds, though, Harmon Tomeral will be there to stick up for the little guy. From humans stuck being the freak show in an alien carnival to a battle that hinges on a salad, anything is possible. But is making friends with the Squilla and trusting them with your life just too much to ask?Inside are potential allies for Harmon Tomeral and his friends…as well as some of the adversaries who are lining up against Salvage System. Who are these new races? Take a look inside and find out!With Stories KennedyKevin SteversonMark WandreyJon R. OsborneNick SteversonP.A. PiattWilliam Joseph RobertsJamie IbsonCasey MooresMatt NovotnyDan BridgwaterBrisco Woods

#12

A Nest of Stars

2021

For the Seven Deadly Sins Mercenary Company, the end was only the beginning. Rath Peterson and the 7DS are ready to call it quits, and, after their last successful mission, they return home for some well-earned R&R. As the friends settle their affairs and prepare to say their final goodbyes, though, they are offered a new opportunity, a simple job that will add enough to the balance sheets that none of them will ever need to stand in harm’s way again. A peaceful race, the Votha have rediscovered technology that will allow them to defend their home system, and all the 7DS needs to do is evacuate a research team and their data from an isolated outpost back to their home world. However, within hours of accepting the contract, the 7DS is attacked, and, in the aftermath, they discover that nothing is the way it seems. Word of the Votha’s find has leaked out, and others will stop at nothing to take it for themselves. To make things worse, powerful interests within the Benthi Federation seize control of the Benth orbital ring, setting off a civil war that leaves them only a few options—none of them good. But Rath Peterson and his crew have never been ones to run from a fight, and the answer to the fate of four systems is resting in the Merry Dreamer’s cargo bay…

#13

Consequences

2022

With Ruul and the mining company protected and the Bieratang pirates defeated, it’s time for Dahkal and Ryan to journey to Salvage System. Their new battleship and crew await, as well as some unexpected—yet much appreciated—help. Dahkal’s real mission can finally begin. Ready to face the worst, the Emerald Dragons leave Salvage and head to Sheinrah. On the other side of the gate lies the unknown, which probably includes overwhelming odds and almost certain death. It’s just another day in the life of a merc, however, especially if you’re Sheinrah’s First Heir. Gortal, still unaware of Dahkal’s continued existence, prepares to fight Reuan and retain his usurped throne. His plans will not be deterred, and his goals will be met. Before his time is through, the galaxy will again know and fear the mighty Sheingal Empire. As Dahkal and company heads through the stargate, one thing is sure—for every action, there are consequences. Will Gortal reap what he has sown, or will he finally defeat his older brother and take the imperial throne for good?

#14

Salvage Mind

2020

On an isolated human world called Phoenix, outside the galactic gate network, a royal empire teeters on the brink of revolution. The new emperor is weak, the old guard seeks power, and rumors of war titillate the populace.None of this concerns Symeon Brashniev, newly appointed steward to one of the most powerful heiresses on the planet. Happy to let the royals play their game of catch the crown, Symeon is more concerned with balancing his mistress’s books than worrying about affairs of state.But when Symeon discovers evidence of sedition at the highest levels of government buried deep within her finances he realizes her great peril. Though a slave, he finds himself trapped in political intrigue, desperate to protect his mistress from the royals who would see her dead. Agonized by the choice of turning her over to the authorities or protecting her secrets, Symeon decides to keep faith with his sovereign over his larger duty, thus flinging himself into a world of power, plots, and assassination.If he fails, they both die…and with them the chance at freedom for Symeon’s enslaved race.

#15

The Last Argonaut

2023

Zack Monahan had it all ten years ago. A “rags to riches” story as anointed by the Sol system press, the human quarterback from the slums of Tretra took college warball by storm, smashing every record on the way to being the projected top pick in the next First Interstellar Warball Association amateur draft. Then came the hit that shattered everything. Deek Xatori never had a chance. An undersized player on the heels of his fifth roster cut in four seasons, the reeoli journeyman was headed home, hoping for one last shot at professional glory. Neither being had much to offer to a cellar-dweller franchise on a backwater world, still reeling from the worst natural disaster in planetary history. Welcome to the world of high-stakes interstellar warball, where craniums collide on the field, secrets lurk off it, and the fates of civilizations rise or fall on a single play. It’s also where a ragtag club of misfits, backed by a city of outcasts, just might find their opportunity for redemption.

Authors

Tim C. Taylor

Author · 17 books

JOIN THE LEGION! The Human Legion has sold over 200,000 copies, but is still recruiting for new readers. Visit humanlegion.com today and join the Legion for exclusive book downloads to start your journey into the worlds of the Human Legion, The Four Horsemen Universe, Revenge Squad and Sleeping Legion. Or you can sign up directly here. Tim C. Taylor lives with his family in an ancient village in England. When he was an impressionable boy, between 1977 and 1978, he encountered several mind-altering substances: 2000AD, Star Wars, Blake's 7, and Dungeons & Dragons. Consequently, he now writes science fiction novels for a living.

Alex Rath

Author · 9 books

Alex Rath is a Military Science Fiction and Fantasy author, currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife and daughter. He has been creative in one form or another since childhood. He got his start in fantasy with Dungeons and Dragons in 1979, and kept going from there. Some of the ideas that he writes come from his extensive experience in Role Playing Games, starting with D&D, and onward through other games like Star Fleet Battles, Battletech/Mechwarrior, Shadowrun, Masquerade, and too many more to name. From there, he took his creativity online to more online games than can be remembered by writing character backgrounds, stories, and game related fiction. Now, he puts his creativity to the book format, and is excited to become a professional author.

A lover of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror, Matt Novotny has been an avid reader since childhood. Still firmly convinced that the worlds between the pages are more interesting than the one he lives in, Matt began writing in 2020 in order to escape the voices in his head, or at least quiet them down. When not writing he spends time gaming, antiquing, or wandering in the mountains, A Colorado native, he lives in Littleton, Colorado, surrounded by ever-increasing piles of books, Lovecraft collectables, and unfinished home and garden projects. Connect with Matt! Website: www.mattnovotny.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/MattNovotnyWrites Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Matt-Novotny/e...

Casey Moores was a USAF rescue/special ops C-130 pilot for over 17 years- airdropping, air refueling, and flying into tiny blacked-out dirt airstrips in bad places using night vision goggles. He’s been to those places and done those things with those people. Now he lives a quieter life, translating those experiences to fiction. He has written in the Four Horsemen universe with stories in numerous anthologies, his debut novel, These Things We Do, and much more to come. In the near future he will be expanding in the Salvage System and Fallen World universes as well. He was also a finalist in the FantaSci fantasy story contest with his short story “A Quaint Pastime”. A Colorado native and Air Force Academy graduate, he is now a naturalized Burqueño, retired in New Mexico.

P.A. Piatt was born and raised in western Pennsylvania. After his first attempt at college, he joined the Navy to see the world. He started writing as a hobby when he retired in 2005 and published his first novel in 2018. His published works include the Abner Fortis, International Space Marine Corps mil-sf series, the Walter Bailey Misadventures urban fantasy trilogy, and other full-length novels in both science fiction and horror. All of his novels and various published short stories can be found on Amazon.

A Webster Award winner and three-time Dragon Award finalist, Chris Kennedy is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author, speaker, and small-press publisher who has written over 50 books and published more than 400 others. Get his free book, “Shattered Crucible,” at his website, https://chriskennedypublishing.com. Called “fantastic” and “a great speaker,” he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences, conventions, and writing guild presentations. He is the author of the award-winning #1 bestseller, “Self-Publishing for Profit: How to Get Your Book Out of Your Head and Into the Stores.” Chris lives in Coinjock, North Carolina, with his wife. Follow Chris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ckpublishing/.

William Joseph Roberts

David Alan Jones is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as an Arabic linguist. A 2016 Writers of the Future silver honorable mention recipient, David’s writing spans the science fiction, military sci-fi, fantasy, and urban fantasy genres. He is a martial artist, a husband, and a father of three. David’s day job involves programming computers for Uncle Sam.

Jamie Ibson

Author · 8 books

Jamie Ibson is a new writer from the frozen wastelands of Canuckistan, where moose, bears, and geese battle for domination among the hockey rinks, igloos, and Tim Hortons. After joining the Canadian army reserves in high school, he spent half of 2001 in Bosnia as a peacekeeper and came home shortly after 9/11 with a deep sense of foreboding. After graduating college, he landed a job in law enforcement and was posted to the left coast from 2007 to 2021. He retired from law enforcement in early 2021 and moved clear across the country to write full time in the Maritimes. He published a number of short stories in 2018 and 2019, and his first novel came out in January 2020. He’s pretty much been making it up as he goes along, although he has numerous writer friends who serve as excellent role-models, mentors, and, occasionally, cautionary tales. His website can be found at ibsonwrites.ca. He is married to the lovely Michelle, and they have cats.

Jake Bible

Author · 64 books

Jake Bible, Bram Stoker Award nominated-novelist, short story writer, independent screenwriter, podcaster, and inventor of the Drabble Novel, has entertained thousands with his horror, sci/fi, thriller, and adventure tales. He reaches audiences of all ages with his uncanny ability to write a wide range of characters and genres. Jake is the author of the bestselling Z-Burbia series set in Asheville, NC, the bestselling Salvage Merc One, the Apex Trilogy (DEAD MECH, The Americans, Metal and Ash) and the Mega series for Severed Press, as well as the YA zombie novel, Little Dead Man, the Bram Stoker Award nominated Teen horror novel, Intentional Haunting, the ScareScapes series, and the Reign of Four series for Permuted Press. Find Jake at jakebible.com. Join him on Twitter @jakebible and find him on Facebook.

As a graduate of Florida State University, sci-fi author Ian J. Malone has written in a variety of arenas ranging from public health to news and sports. When it comes to his fictional work, however, he’s a firm believer that nothing shapes a person’s writing like experience. That’s why he credits his tenures in radio, law enforcement, and military contracting for much of his inspiration, plus the legion of family and friends who’ve stood with him along the way. Beyond writing, Malone is an avid fan of audiobooks (he’s legally blind) and the outdoors. It’s also not uncommon to find him at a ballgame, a concert, or somewhere out by a grill. Malone is an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and a resident of Durham, North Carolina—but he’ll always be a “Florida boy” at heart