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| ===Back Cover Blurb=== | | ===Back Cover Blurb=== |
| Silent for many years, Black Orchid, a dark and powerful force bent on world domination, has risen again. For decades the Society Intelligence Corps has successfully kept Black Orchid's power in check. But that is all about to change. With recently stolen fleet technology in their grasp, Black Orchid now strives to use it to once and for all destroy the Society, and her fleet, and claim Earth for their own. | | Silent for many years, Black Orchid, a dark and powerful force bent on world domination, has risen again. For decades the Society Intelligence Corps has successfully kept Black Orchid's power in check. But that is all about to change. With recently stolen fleet technology in their grasp, Black Orchid now strives to use it to once and for all destroy the Society, and her fleet, and claim Earth for their own. |
| ===Book Summary=== | | ===Awards and Reviews=== |
| The story starts out with Major Robert "[[Dutch]]" Collins, a former US Air Force ace fighter pilot, now a bed ridden cripple an invalid due to being shot down by a stealth missile while on a routine mission over the Eural mountains. The introduction covers the troubles he went through after that, and the incredible life of misery that followed. It also picks up the story of Dr. [[John Rasmussen]], an expert in the field of quantum and theoretical physics, who was rejected and shunned by his peers due to his radical and innovative ideas, many that were well ahead of their time, and outside of the "norm" that most modern grant committees would approve, he found himself in a rut, unable to get much of anywhere, and thus relegated to an insignificant corner of the university where he worked. Seeing the potential of both men, the [[Brayburn Society|Society]] steps out and recruits both men, fully healing Dutch (including fully regenerating lost body parts) and putting him to work as a pilot within [[Earthfleet]] while Rasmussen is assigned to a project to help the [[Society Science Corps]] solve a problem with the Coaxial FTL drive systems used by Earthfleet starships. He then pairs him with [[Dr. Bentley]] to help him get up to speed.
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| To unofficially greet each [[inductee]], Grand Admiral [[Mike Clayton]], and his chief pilot, Lieutenant [[Joel Pendleton]] watch behind a one way mirror as Dutch wakes up after being healed of his injuries and brought into life within the Society, while [[Chancelor Nordham]] and [[Dr. Corbin]] stand in another room and observe Dr. Rasmussen as he is brought into the society as well. However, while Mike and Pendleton are happy to see Dutch, and Nordham is happy to see Rasmussen, Corbin remains skeptical and appears as though he's somewhat threatened by the new addition to the Society. Elsewhere, seeking to continue his plans to destroy Mike, he heads over to Earthfleet's [[Command One]] station and overhears information about a sinister group known as [[Black Orchid]], who has been a thorn in the side of Earthfleet and the Society for years. Seeing the potential to use them in his plans, Zoahn seeks them out on Earth and finds one of their representatives. After talking briefly, they agree to work together, but only if Zoahn can find for them a weakness in Earthfleet technology that they can exploit. Zoahn agrees, and then goes off in search of what they're after.
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| Back within Earthfleet, Dutch is given the task of acclimating Dutch as fast as possible to life in both Earthfleet, and the Society. At first Dutch has an issue getting used to everything that he's presented with, as it's a lot to wrap his mind around. Especially the idea that there are hundreds of races in the galaxy, upwards of nearly a thousand at last count. Upon stepping onto the main promenade of Pluto Station, Dutch quickly begins to display one of the many important skills which were part of the reason he was chosen for induction. It's not long, however, before Ambassador [[Phyland]] and Ambassador [[Finch]] walk by. They stop briefly and introduce themselves, much to the excitement and intrigue of Dutch, before moving on to other things. Back at Mike's quarters, Sarah cooks him a meal, that greatly impresses Mike, as another of her ways to be romantic with Mike, much to his discomfort. It's not that he doesn't like her. It's just that she, in his mind, is a hologram, and he's a human. Even so he appreciates her kind, albeit out of character (for what he perceives to be an AI) for a ship's AI.
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| Elsewhere, Zoahn continues his hunt for a weakness in Earthfleet technology and soon stumbles across a fatal flaw in the Coaxial power and FTL systems that the newer fleet ships use. He then takes this back to Black Orchid for them to use. Meanwhile, Pendleton continues his introduction and training of Dutch, even taking him to a favorite hangout at Pluto Station run by a [[Macanorian]] who is both the store's mascot and bartender. However, while they're there getting food and drinks, they encounter several higher ranking officers who have had a little too much to drink. Eventually, due to the belligerence of the drunk men, and Pendleton's attitude, a fight breaks out with Pendleton and Dutch beating the drunk officers in a quick and decisive fist fight. However, this ends up getting them dragged before Mike who chews out Pendleton profusely for what happened. However, by the time the meeting is over, a deep, but friendly rivalry is born between Dutch and Pendleton, which will benefit both men in the future.
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| Down on planet Earth, Zoahn delivers the information he's found to a spy for Black Orchid, after which he hands it to [[Ronald Veckmeyer]], aka "Veck", the leader of Black Orchid. He then hands the information to his scientists so that they can begin using it to defeat Earthfleet. Meanwhile, Mike goes and speaks to [[Dr. Olm]] about Sarah and her growing romantic gestures to him. He also expresses his growing interest in her, and his reservations at the same time, as he still believes that she's merely an extremely advanced Artificial Intelligence Program, and not a living being. Olm advises him to just let it run its course and see where it goes. Elsewhere, Phyland approaches Nordham and complains about the current political instabilities and issues that are growing all across the galaxy in the absence of the UGW. With them gone, and the moderating influence (albeit a corrupt one) they provided, things are rapidly growing unstable all across the galaxy. So, to rectify this, he proposes starting a new galactic political organization similar to the UGW, but without all the corruption. Nordham isn't certain this is a good idea. But Finch believes that they should at least try to make things work, and to do that he's willing to help out, even offering the use of his personal ship.
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| Meanwhile, as Rasmussen and the Society are trying to solve several important issues with their technology, and Black Orchid is trying to quickly build devices to take advantage of those weaknesses, Pendleton continues to train Dutch while Phyland, Finch, [[Julian]] and [[Mary]] head out to [[Vocrac]] to meet with [[V'sin]] and discuss their idea with him. Back at the labs, Rasmussen speaks with [[Eric Rogers]] and helps him with solving an issue that he's been struggling with, but in doing so runs afoul of Dr. Corbin who fires him from the project he was assigned to. This creates other problems within the Society, and at the worst possible time. Especially with the actions of Black Orchid drawing the suspicions of Earthfleet. So much so, in fact, that [[Lars]] and [[Vlad]] are dispatched to Earth to investigate them. Once down there, Lars and Vlad encounter Ricardo Escobar. After bribing him with some casino winnings, they talk him into giving information on the location of a man named Ebony Phillips. Lars and Vlad leave, and escape from the hands of Black Orchid and their agents, however, Veck is notified and ready for when they return next at the address that was given to them.
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| Later on Lars and Vlad return, but inadvertently step into a trap and are attacked by men wielding plasma weapons, much to the two men's surprise. Realizing they can't win the fight, they call for reinforcements. A team of twelve fleet special forces solders [[Portal Transporter|portal]] into the casino and open fire, quickly neutralizing the Black Orchid soldiers and securing the location. Frustrated with not getting their target, they quickly police up all the plasma weapons and anything else that would leave a clue to their presence there, and then portal back home. Back on Vocrac, V'sin takes Phyland and the others to see the Gayik'Von president. Once there they discuss Phyland's idea with him. After some discussion, the president agrees to help him. Back in Sol, Lars shows Mike and Nordham the prototype weapons they recovered from Black Orchid and worry what this means. They then discuss asking Rasmussen and Dutch if they've seen these kinda weapons, or if they're new.
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| (this summary is a work in progress, so please be patient)
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