Difference between revisions of "Homeworld"

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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===
 
===Book Summary===
−
The story unfolds in two basic parts.  The first tells the story of Major Robert "[[Dutch]]" Collins, a former US Air Force ace fighter pilot, who is recruited from Earth and becomes an [[inductee]] into [[Earthfleet]], while also covering the story of [[Dr. Rasmussen]], an expert in the field of quantum and theoretical physics, and also who was simultaneously inducted into the [[Brayburn Society|Society]].  Dutch is brought in to fill fleet vacancies for skilled pilots, while Rasmussen is brought in to help the [[Society Science Corps]] solve a problem with the Coaxial FTL drive systems used by Earthfleet starships.  After their initial training and in processing, Dutch is assigned to [[Pendleton]] for the hands on part of his training while Rasmussen is assigned to [[Bentley]].  While there are some bumps, personality conflicts, and some other things that gets Pendleton and Dutch dragged on the carpet in front of [[Mike Clayton]] a few times, and causes some strife and other issues with several people in the Society Science Corps, their introductory time goes well enough.
+
The story unfolds in two basic parts.  The first tells the story of Major Robert "[[Dutch]]" Collins, a former US Air Force ace fighter pilot, who is recruited from Earth and becomes an [[inductee]] into [[Earthfleet]], while also covering the story of [[Dr. Rasmussen]], an expert in the field of quantum and theoretical physics, and who was also simultaneously inducted into the [[Brayburn Society|Society]].  Dutch is brought in to fill fleet vacancies for skilled pilots, while Rasmussen is brought in to help the [[Society Science Corps]] solve a problem with the Coaxial FTL drive systems used by Earthfleet starships.  After their initial training and in processing, Dutch is assigned to [[Pendleton]] for the hands on part of his training while Rasmussen is assigned to [[Bentley]].  While there are some bumps, personality conflicts, and some other things that cause issues along the way, their introductory time goes well enough.
  
−
Elsewhere, seeking to continue his plans to destroy Mike, [[Zoahn]] learns of a weakness in [[Earthfleet]] technology, which he then hands off, along with a sizeable degree of Earthfleet's own technology, to the Society's arch enemy, [[Black Orchid]], in hopes that they will use it against the Society.  Since Zoahn can't destroy Mike directly, he hopes that Black Orchid can find a way, with this knowledge and technology that he gifts them, which would tie Sarah's hands and force her to chose between saving Mike, or saving her career.  Realizing that Black Orchid is up to something, [[Lars]] and [[Vlad]] head to Earth to uncover their plans and what dangers they present to the Society.  Elsewhere in the Galaxy, with the fall of the [[UGW]] creating a massive political void in the galaxy, [[Phyland Renwald]], [[Finch]] and [[V'sin]] quietly work together to create a new galactic governing authority, similar to the UGW (but hopefully less corrupt) to take its place and fill the void.  But, to do that, given that a large portion of the galaxy still fears and loathes them, they need to do it in a way that doesn't look like Earth is involved.  That way the other races will be more accepting of it.
+
Elsewhere, seeking to continue his plans to destroy Mike, [[Zoahn]] learns of a weakness in [[Earthfleet]] technology, which he then hands off, along with a sizeable degree of Earthfleet's own technology, to the Society's arch enemy, [[Black Orchid]], in hopes that they will use it against the Society.  Since Zoahn can't destroy Mike directly, he hopes that Black Orchid can find a way, with this knowledge and technology that he gifts them, which would tie Sarah's hands and force her to chose between saving Mike, or saving her career.  Realizing that Black Orchid is up to something, [[Lars]] and [[Vlad]] head to Earth to uncover the fact that technology was stolen from Earthfleet and given to their arch enemy.  They track Black Orchid to a secret island where [[Veck]], leader of Black Orchid, uses it to attack Earthfleet, succeeding to some limited degree at first.  Eventually, Earthfleet takes cover, forcing Black Orchid to launch the [[Predicator]] to fight Earthfleet face to face.  This fight goes well for Black Orchid as the fleet struggles to fend off a ship which is able to exploit the weaknesses in their technology that [[Dr. Olm]], Rasmussen and others know about, and are working to fix.  Eventually Earthfleet discovers a way to attack the Predicator and wound it, after which the [[Kavenu]] attacks it, and does more damage, but eventually suffers critical damage and withdraws.
  
−
Back on Earth, Lars and Vlad continue their search for information and get mixed up in a casino fight that eventually nets them some useful intel and clues to what Black Orchid is up to.  This is then presented to Earthfleet, but found to be something of a non-issue.  During this time Zoahn checks in on Black Orchid, but finds they're not making enough progress, nor fast enough.  So he simply "fast forwards" them by giving them everything they need, rather than spending years figuring out how to unravel everything that he gave them, from which they could build weapons powerful enough to defeat Earthfleet.  He even provides them with a special starship, and a cannon capable of destroying any Earthfleet ship.  Lars, in the meantime, heads down to Earth with Vlad to determine what Black Orchid is up to.  He succeeds in sneaking into a Black Orchid operation and is taken to the volcanic island Zoahn gave to Black Orchid and begins poking around.  [[Veck]], the head of Black Orchid, summons the 13 heads of the Illuminati and invites them to come to his new weaponized island for a demonstration of his recently acquired power.  Back at the Society labs, after some careful research, a solution is found to the weaknesses in fleet technology.  However, implementing the changes will take time.  Even so, Mike orders the changes to be made and as quickly as possible.
+
With all their cards played, Earthfleet is forced to watch and wait helplessly as they have nothing left to fend off the Predicator.  However, right at this moment Captain [[Blakley]] and his crew jump into the area aboard the antiquated Earthfleet dreadnought [[Spartacus]] and engage the Predicator in a nail biting duel, with the Sparticus low on resources, and the Predicator already heavily damaged.  Eventually Spartucus wins, just as its resources reach their limit.  At this same time Black Orchid's super weapon explodes, due to being sabotaged by Lars and Vlad, completely exterminating the last of the evil organization and its backers.  Back on Command Two, while trying to put all the pieces back together again, it's soon discovered that, in the process of their battle with Black Orchid, Earth has inadvertently discovered their existence; a revelation that is very troubling for the fleet, and the Society.  Especially after centuries of very careful efforts to keep their existence hidden from everyone on Earth.  In the story's epilogue, Mike and Nordham, go down to Earth to make first contact, while Olm reveals that they've come up with a patch that makes their ships less vulnerable to anti-coaxial weapons, like those used by Black Orchid, but it's not a fix.  Only a patch.  So the fleet and the Society decide to start work on a replacement technology.  Later on, Phyland informs Nordham that the [[ASW]], a replacement for the UGW, is a go, and should hopefully take up the slack left by the UGW's passing, while Lars discusses the end of Black Orchid with his boss within the SIC.
−
 
 
−
After introducing the Illuminati families to his new super weapon, Veck turns it against Command One and fires.  But he misses, merely grazing the station, but not hitting it dead center.  However, even this glancing blow does incredible damage to the station.  In fact, it's so bad that Sarah evacuates Mike and the others to safety aboard the Sergenious.  Veck tries a second shot, but this is blocked by a cloud of torpedoes fired by the station in self defense.  He doesn't get a third shot as Command One is able to retreat behind the moon for protection.  Realizing that Command One is a loss, Mike evacuates everyone to [[Command Two]] where they pick up the fight again.  Earthfleet returns fire with their defensive satellites, but watches in dismay as Veck's weapon easily destroys them.  After this Veck sends the [[Predicator]] to fight Earthfleet face to face.  Back in the fleet, Mike and the others are working feverishly to determine how Black Orchid is defeating their technology, while at the same time trying to find a solution that will stop them, and the Predicator, from destroying the fleet and all of their ships.  Realizing that their coaxial energy technology is their Alkalies Heel, they start going through their list of ships that aren't powered by this technology.  They soon learn that the fleet has some old warp powered fighters that are still operational, and haven't been decommissioned or mothballed.  Taking a couple of these, and piloting them via remote control, Pendleton and Dutch go after the Predicator.
 
−
 
 
−
After a brief but pitched battle, their two fighters are destroyed.  However, they have inflicted considerable damage to the Predicator in the process.  After the fight, Dutch and Pendleton take a little time to recover, after which they plan to take another pair of fighters against the Predicator.  However, before they can, Finch grabs his person starship, the Kavenu and, with the help of Phyland, Julius and Mary, attack the Predicator, dealing heavy damage to the ship.  However, the Kavenu suffers critical damage in the engagement and has to pull back, leaving the Predicator to continue its mission once again, despite its wounds.  Not long after, to the surprise of everyone, Captain Blakley and his crew jump into the area aboard the Earthfleet dreadnought [[Spartacus]] and engage the Predicator.  And, while they have limited firepower and energy reserves, Blakely and his crew throw everything they have at the Black Orchid starship in an effort to stop it once and for all.  Meanwhile, as they're doing that, Lars and Vlad work quickly to sabotage Black Orchids main weapon, and then hastily flee the island.  Veck orders that their super cannon be charged for another shot.  However, because of what Lars and Vlad did, this causes the reactors to overload and explode, vaporizing the island.
 
−
 
 
−
Up in space, Blakely and the Spartacus, running low on power, shut down everything but weapons and shields, and keep fighting.  Eventually they defeat the Predicator just as they reach the end of their resources.  Upon seeing the defeat of Black Orchid and the Predicator, Zoahn is angry and frustrated, but soon turns his attention back to [[Phillip Augustus]] and the plans he still has for him.  Back on Command Two, while trying to put all the pieces back together again, it's soon discovered that, in the process of their battle with Black Orchid, Earth has inadvertently discovered their existence, a revelation that is very troubling for the fleet, and the Society.  Especially after centuries of very careful efforts to keep their existence hidden from everyone on Earth.  In the story's epilogue, Mike and Nordham, realizing that the rabbit is out of the bag, and can never be returned there again, decide to go down to Earth to introduce themselves and open an initial dialog with the people there.  Olm reveals to Eric that they've come up with a patch that makes their ships less vulnerable to anti-coaxial weapons, like those used by Black Orchid, but it's not a fix.  Only a patch.  So the fleet and the Society decide to start work on a replacement technology.  Back in the Society, Phyland informs Nordham that the [[ASW]], a replacement for the UGW, is a go, and should hopefully take up the slack left by the UGW's passing, while Lars discusses the end of Black Orchid with his boss within the SIC.
 
  
 
===Awards and Reviews===
 
===Awards and Reviews===

Revision as of 13:39, 5 February 2021

Homeworld.jpg
Title: The Oort Perimeter
Cover Artist: Don Semora
Genre: Military, Sci-Fi
Series: The Earthfleet Saga
Publication Date: June 2010
Media Types: Ebook
ISBN: 978-1935805946
Preceded By: Destiny's Mission
Followed By: Empire Rising

Homeworld is the third book in The Earthfleet Saga and takes a look at Earthfleet's local enemies, those who live on Earth, and seek to seize control of Earth for their own.

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.

Book Summary

The story unfolds in two basic parts. The first tells the story of Major Robert "Dutch" Collins, a former US Air Force ace fighter pilot, who is recruited from Earth and becomes an inductee into Earthfleet, while also covering the story of Dr. Rasmussen, an expert in the field of quantum and theoretical physics, and who was also simultaneously inducted into the Society. Dutch is brought in to fill fleet vacancies for skilled pilots, while Rasmussen is brought in to help the Society Science Corps solve a problem with the Coaxial FTL drive systems used by Earthfleet starships. After their initial training and in processing, Dutch is assigned to Pendleton for the hands on part of his training while Rasmussen is assigned to Bentley. While there are some bumps, personality conflicts, and some other things that cause issues along the way, their introductory time goes well enough.

Elsewhere, seeking to continue his plans to destroy Mike, Zoahn learns of a weakness in Earthfleet technology, which he then hands off, along with a sizeable degree of Earthfleet's own technology, to the Society's arch enemy, Black Orchid, in hopes that they will use it against the Society. Since Zoahn can't destroy Mike directly, he hopes that Black Orchid can find a way, with this knowledge and technology that he gifts them, which would tie Sarah's hands and force her to chose between saving Mike, or saving her career. Realizing that Black Orchid is up to something, Lars and Vlad head to Earth to uncover the fact that technology was stolen from Earthfleet and given to their arch enemy. They track Black Orchid to a secret island where Veck, leader of Black Orchid, uses it to attack Earthfleet, succeeding to some limited degree at first. Eventually, Earthfleet takes cover, forcing Black Orchid to launch the Predicator to fight Earthfleet face to face. This fight goes well for Black Orchid as the fleet struggles to fend off a ship which is able to exploit the weaknesses in their technology that Dr. Olm, Rasmussen and others know about, and are working to fix. Eventually Earthfleet discovers a way to attack the Predicator and wound it, after which the Kavenu attacks it, and does more damage, but eventually suffers critical damage and withdraws.

With all their cards played, Earthfleet is forced to watch and wait helplessly as they have nothing left to fend off the Predicator. However, right at this moment Captain Blakley and his crew jump into the area aboard the antiquated Earthfleet dreadnought Spartacus and engage the Predicator in a nail biting duel, with the Sparticus low on resources, and the Predicator already heavily damaged. Eventually Spartucus wins, just as its resources reach their limit. At this same time Black Orchid's super weapon explodes, due to being sabotaged by Lars and Vlad, completely exterminating the last of the evil organization and its backers. Back on Command Two, while trying to put all the pieces back together again, it's soon discovered that, in the process of their battle with Black Orchid, Earth has inadvertently discovered their existence; a revelation that is very troubling for the fleet, and the Society. Especially after centuries of very careful efforts to keep their existence hidden from everyone on Earth. In the story's epilogue, Mike and Nordham, go down to Earth to make first contact, while Olm reveals that they've come up with a patch that makes their ships less vulnerable to anti-coaxial weapons, like those used by Black Orchid, but it's not a fix. Only a patch. So the fleet and the Society decide to start work on a replacement technology. Later on, Phyland informs Nordham that the ASW, a replacement for the UGW, is a go, and should hopefully take up the slack left by the UGW's passing, while Lars discusses the end of Black Orchid with his boss within the SIC.

Awards and Reviews

There are none to report at this time.

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