40 years ago, the Corsican Empire invaded Earth, just in time for Emperor Justinian's Golden Jubilee. Now, in 2675, the Resistance rises again, but the enemy strikes first, taking fighter pilot Lieutenant Jacob Mercer by surprise. As he flies out to meet the enemy, he learns of the existence of a secret that could change the course of the war. A secret that might mean a quick end to the fighting, or a quick death for them all. Against the Rising Force is a short story of approx. 5200 words, or about 25 pages, and is the first in the short story trilogy Prelude to Resistance, which paves the way for The Pax Humana Saga, a ten part series of novels set for release in March 2014.

DEFEAT The Corsican Empire extends the reach of the "Pax Humana" across the thousand worlds, ruling with force and fear. 40 years ago, they returned to Earth, subjugating it and claiming the ancient home of humanity for the Empire. RESURGENCE Now, in 2675, Earth fights back. Lieutenant Jacob Mercer likes fast motorcycles, faster women, and screamin' fighters. As a reckless space jock in the Resistance fleet he lives for the thrill, and to take out as many Imperial bogeys as he can. At least, more than his buddies. But with victory in sight, the Imperials thwart the Resistance in a surprise show of devastating force, and Dallas burns from a thermonuclear blast—millions die—a merciless example of what happens to upstart worlds in the Pax Humana. A DESPERATE PLAN The Resistance goes underground to rebuild its strength, and in the shadows, the leadership devises a daring plan to strike right at the Empire's heart in a final, desperate bid for freedom. A plan that will send Jake Mercer right to where he doesn't belong: The captain's chair of the most advanced warship in the galaxy, facing down a psychopathic Imperial Admiral bent on utterly destroying the Resistance, and Earth itself. But first he has to survive. (Content disclaimer: There are marines and fighter pilots in this book, and as such it contains some salty language and crude jokes. Also, mild sexual situations, and violence. Readers who are sensitive to these things, please contact me and we'll work something out.) The Terran Gambit is the first episode in a series of 10 books in the Pax Humana Saga. Coming soon: Chains of Destiny in May 2014 Into the Void—July 2014 The Sons of Oberon—August/September 2014

ESCAPE! Captain Jacob Mercer and the USS Phoenix barely escape with their lives from the Imperial ambush at Liberty Station, and soon find themselves orbiting the frontier world Destiny, a forbidding planet infested with pirate gangs. With critically unstable engines, Jake is forced to seek raw material for badly needed repairs before the ruthless Admiral Trajan tracks them down. A MYSTERY DEEPENS... As they negotiate with the pirates, the crew learns some uncomfortable truths about their hero, Admiral Pritchard, and that Trajan's plans may not stop at the destruction of the Resistance. Before long, Jake and his team find themselves at the mercy of the most despised class in the Thousand Worlds: slavers. AND SACRIFICES MUST BE MADE. With the Captain stranded on the dusty planet below, Commander Megan Po leads the Phoenix in one more deadly showdown with Admiral Trajan, and comes face to face with her most dreaded nightmare: sending people under her charge to die.

Captain Jake Mercer and the crew of the Phoenix finally escape from Admiral Trajan's relentless pursuit, hoping for some much needed rest and supplies. But while in the Oberon system the 51st brigade decides to make its move against Captain Mercer in revenge for the murder of one of its soldiers. Jake must enlist the help of a local paramilitary organization to not only regain his ship, but also to fight off the Vikorhov Federation, one of Admiral Trajan's surrogates in the sector. And all the while Ben's mind is slowly re-written by the picobots, making him not only a danger to his enemies, but to his closest friends. Into the Void, a novel of about 300 pages, is the 3rd episode of the 10 episode Pax Humana Saga. Sign up for my mailing list to get free copies of all my short stories, and lower prices on new releases: smarturl.it/endimailinglist