Final Battle: Colonel Landry Space Adventure Series, #3

By Bryan Smith

FINAL BATTLE . . .

GRAND MILITARY SCIENCE-FICTION INSPIRED BY TODAY'S HEADLINES!

THROUGH THE DIMENSIONAL PORTAL TO FIND THE HIDDEN RADICAL EASTERN BASE IN ANOTHER WORLD . . .

FINAL BATTLE is the third novel in Bryan Smith's Colonel Landry space adventure series. It is an intriguing blend of military science-fiction, space opera, spy novel, suspense, romance, political science fiction, and more.

It is the 25th Century. On the far off Earth colonial planet of Sirius V, settled long ago by North Americans and Europeans on a Western continent and by radical religious zealots from Earth's Middle East on an Eastern continent, a final showdown is about to occur.

The Eastern continent has been attacking the West. The First Intergalactic Alliance dispatches Colonel Landry to Sirius V in the starcraft Aurora to locate and destroy a hidden radical base on the planet. After the Aurora's military fighters disable and occupy two Eastern headquarters, there should have been no more attacks on the West. But the attacks continue, apparently from the invisible hidden base which Landry was sent to locate and destroy.

As it turns out, the hidden Eastern base is located in a version of the same planet existing in a parallel universe which can be entered through a man-made "wormhole" in the mountains. A treacherous double agent guide from the West leads Landry and his team through the wormhole where Landry and beautiful blonde Major Veronica Winters are taken captive and ransomed by the sinister Eastern leader Bin Obami--to die a horrible death if the terrorist demands are not met

The novel's futuristic events are drawn from everyday headlines of the growing terrorist threat to the world.

Fans of the Colonel Landry series will be glad to see all the mainstay characters. Landry himself, the rebellious Major Adams, sexy Maya, and petulant Veronica. And, of course, charming telepathic Tiger Jones. The reader will see another side to Jones in this new novel. Suffice it to say that he does not take any stuff off anyone who wants to hurt Veronica.

The author introduces a number of engaging new characters. Colonel Goldstein, the aggressive military commander who fights a war against radical insurgents on Earth colony Sirius V that are much like the Middle East terrorists of Earth today.

Major Abdul Ramen copes with tragic injury and ostracism by other starcraft crew members and, in the end, proves to be among the most worthy of them.

"TORG" the voice-activated robot with a deadly energy ray "zapper" that the reader won't soon forget.

The two evil sultans "Bin Obami" who seek to spread the conquest of radical Islam across multiple dimensions. The treacherous "double agent" Armand.

FINAL BATTLE is a worthy addition to the now three volume Colonel Landry series, as unique as its predecessors DOME OF SLAVERY and the series flagship FERAL PLANET.

As usual, the new FINAL BATTLE is remarkable for its special narrative "voice" and the lean but descriptive prose that has become the author's hallmark.

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, SEXUALITY, AND STRONG LANGUAGE

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phoenixe Press
• Release date: Feb 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386308799

Bryan Smith

ABOUT THE AUTHOR G. (Gerald) Bryan Smith is a Northern California attorney. Bryan Smith was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia State University in 1979 (BA, Journalism). He attended Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University (Juris Doctorate, 1986) in Macon, Georgia; and later Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco (L.L.M., Master of Laws, 1996). He is an active member of the State Bar of California. After stints as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the U.S. Air Force, and association with private law firms in California, Mr. Smith started his own law office in 1999. He has since worked as a solo practitioner attorney specializing in general civil litigation with emphasis on family law, estate planning, probate, and bankruptcy (website www.bryansmithatty.com). From a teenager Mr. Smith has been an avid fan of science-fiction literature and film. His favorite science-fiction writers, in alphabetical surname order, are the grand masters Poul Anderson, James Blish, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Robert A. Heinlein, Richard Matheson, H. Beam Piper, Frank M. Robinson, and Clifford D. Simak. Mr. Smith was a regular childhood fan of the original "Star Trek" and "Outer Limits" television series. Feral Planet is the first and the "flagship" in the Colonel Kendrick Landry Space Adventure Series. Other novels featuring Colonel Landry will be released in the near future: --Dome Of Slavery --Final Battle --In Search Of Kronos --Amira: Warrior Queen Of Crucida Mr. Smith is dedicated to revitalizing the classic science-fiction of the genre's so-called "Golden Age" featuring the original Star Trek and the works of science-fiction literary masters including Robert Heinlein and Poul Anderson. Hopefully, the Colonel Landry Space Adventure Series is a good step in that direction. Mr. Smith is interested in receiving candid input from his readers. Feel free to leave comments at his Website (www.phoenixepress.net)    

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BRYAN SMITH

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FINAL

BATTLE

COLONEL LANDRY SERIES, 3

PHOENIXE PRESS

www.phoenixepress.net 

© Copyright 2016  by Gerald Bryan Smith. All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Second Edition, Print and E-Book published by Phoenixe Press in February 2016

Print Edition ISBN-13: 978-1508736295

ISBN-10: 1508736294

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016900377

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, North Charleston, SC

A different version of this book was previously published by Phoenixe Press, LLC  under the title "A Final Battle © Copyright 2010 by Gerald Bryan Smith. 

Phoenixe Press is an imprint of the author, Gerald Bryan Smith, www.phoenixepress.net ; Phoenixe Press and the Phoenixe logo are registered trademarks of the author. Front cover image by www.fotolia.com

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Creative Influences

The author gives sincere grateful acknowledgment for the creative influences of the following science-fiction/fantasy grand masters and other sci-fi celebrities in alphabetical surname order:

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Poul Anderson (my favorite The Enemy Stars and Call Me Joe, 1957 novelette inspiring 2009 film Avatar, uncredited); Piers Anthony (Xanth series); Isaac Asimov (I, Robot); James Blish (for City and short story adaptations of original l966-1969 Star Trek  television series episodes); Robert Bloch (Psycho, The Complete Stories of Robert Bloch); Ray Bradbury (my favorite, Fahrenheit 451); John Brunner (Born Under Mars); Jack Campbell (Lost Fleet series); Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey, basis of 1968 Stanley Kubrick film); Pen Densham (co-producer of the revived Outer Limits television series airing 1995-2002); Phillip K. Dick (The Man In the High Castle, source of current streaming min-series; Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sleep, basis for 1982 film Blade Runner); Gordon R. Dickson (The Genetic General); Harlan Ellison (my favorite, his script for the 1964 Outer Limits episode Demon With A Glass Hand starring Robert Culp); Philip Jose Farmer (Riverworld series); Jack Finney (The Body Snatchers, filmed three times); Harry Harrison (Make Room! Make Room!, basis for 1973 film Soylent Green); Frank Herbert (Dune); Robert A. Heinlein (my favorites The Puppet Masters and Starman Jones); Aldous Huxley (Brave New World); Stephen King (my favorite The Stand); Dean R. Koontz (Demon Seed, basis of 1977 film); Stanley Kubrick (for 1971 film A Clockwork Orange); Stanislaw Lem (Solaris, basis of 2002 film); George Lucas (of course for Star Wars franchise);  Richard Matheson (his classic sci-fi vampire novel I Am Legend, filmed three times); the late Leonard Nimoy (of course, famous Mr. Spock of Star Trek); Alan E. Nourse (Rocket to Limbo); Andre (Alice Mary) Norton (her time travel series including The Time Traders inspired the 1966-1967 television series The Time Tunnel, uncredited); George Orwell (1984); H. Beam Piper (The Cosmic Computer); Frank M. Robinson (my favorite, The Power); Gene Roddenberry (producer of original Star Trek television series, 1966-1969); Rod Serling (producer of Twilight Zone television series, 1959-1964); William Shatner (for Tek War series ghost-written by Ron Goulart); Robert Silverberg (The Gate of Worlds); Clifford D. Simak (my favorite, Way Station); E.E. Doc Smith (Lensman series); Joseph Stefano (producer of original Outer Limits television series, 1963-1965); Mark Stern (co-producer of the revived Outer Limits television series airing 1995-2002); Theodore Sturgeon (wrote script for famous 1967 Star Trek episode Amok Time); Jack Vance (The Dying Earth); Jules Verne (From The Earth To The Moon, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea); A.E. Van Vogt (Black Destroyer, inspiration for 1979 film Alien (uncredited), co-authored with Harlan Ellison 1971 story The Human Operators, credited in script for 1999 episode of revived Outer Limits series); Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (Slaughterhouse-Five); and H.G. Wells (The Time Machine, War Of The Worlds).

In terms of economy of writing style, the author credits Ernest Hemingway–the rightly acknowledged father of the modern American novel (my all-time favorite, The Sun Also Rises). With regard to the more colorful prose style occasionally appearing in Dome of Slavery, the author gives credit to Thomas Pynchon (Gravity’s Rainbow) and fellow Southern writer William Faulkner (Pylon).

TO SHU HWA CHEN

Whose loving presence has given me some freedom from enslavement to the practice of law, and whose encouragement to me in my writing and my life in general  has been invaluable.

SPECIAL DEDICATION

This novel is dedicated to the victims of the New York Trade Center on September 11, 2001; to the United States forces that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan; to the numerous Americans taken hostage and killed in the Middle East; to the victims of the terror attacks in Paris; to the shooting victims in San Bernardino, California; to other innocent Americans who may be killed even before this book is published; and to all the brave American men and women fighting today in the Middle East. 

CONTENTS

1. Hawke 

2. Broadcast 

3. To Earthport 

4. Conflict On The Control Deck 

5. War Briefing 

6. Alcion 

7. Arholla 

8. Attack 

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9. New Attacks On Alcion 

10. Rossi Again 

11. Armand 

12. Preparation 

13. The Cruiser Phoenixe

14. Capture 

15. Escape 

16. Bin Obami 

17. Hostages, Ransom, And Torture 

18. Departure From Cruiser Phoenixe 

19. The Captured Tank 

20. Rescue 

21. Rejuvenation 

22. The Bomb 

23. Bin Obamis And Armand 

24. City Of Alcion, Then Earthport 

FINAL

BATTLE

1

HAWKE

Hawke was a four star general. He was more or less retired from standard Star Command duties. He now headed the secret intelligence Bureau within the Earth Confederation branch of the First Intergalactic Alliance. The Bureau was not even supposed to exist.

Colonel Kendrick Landry thought about that. Sure. Not supposed to exist. Right. Tell that to the next planetary dictator about to receive a well-deserved coup. Tell that to the next enemy agent about to find himself in the sights of a blaster rifle. And many more. Sure, the Bureau does not exist. 

He was always uneasy on the rare occasions when Hawke called. Landry was the standing commander of the Aurora, the massive interstellar starcraft equipped for both planetary exploration and military campaigns. Commanding the Aurora under military actions was one thing; being drawn into sensitive matters of counter-espionage was far different.

General Hawke greeted Landry. He was tall for even  the genetically enhanced man. He had crisp black hair with iron gray running through it and totally expressionless clear blue eyes.  As for age, he might be some twenty years older than Landry according to Old Time appearance; but that of course was irrelevant to the genetically enhanced. Landry certainly did not have the required security clearance to know Hawke’s chronological age.

I’m sorry to give you such short notice, he said.

Landry did not answer immediately. He was sure that Hawke would not have summoned him at all if there were not some emergency. They were in Hawke’s private office, at the Bureau  in its New San Francisco headquarters. Why am I here?

We have a problem on Sirius V, Hawke said. "Muslims. Radical Muslims. In the classic tradition. It wouldn’t do to underestimate them."

The briefing module in the skycar on Landry’s way over had just been an overview. There was much more that Hawke wanted Landry to know, but it would take a couple of hours more briefing and Hawke said there was not time. The Aurora was ready for launch at Earthport and Landry knew he had to hurry to get out there.

* * *

Landry sat in the cubicle adjoining Hawke’s office. He fitted the cranial skull cap around his forehead, felt the metal thongs dig into his skin, and then he plugged into the neural network and downloaded the second briefing module. His mind assimilated the contents within a few minutes. 

The second briefing was the Universe according to Hawke. Within it was a history lesson, and what in Landry’s view amounted to Hawke’s dubious attempt to force his perceived parallels of Earth’s history onto the war-ravaged events unfolding on one of Earth’s oldest planetary colonies. 

The Earth-like planet of Sirius V was a colony dating back to the mid Twenty-Second Century. The established center of civilization was on a Western continent called Alcion. It was comparable to Earth’s North American continent and was under attack from radical Eastern powers on a continent across the oceans–much like the Middle East on Old Earth.

The Eastern powers had first attacked the major trade center of Alcion but its ruling council did not even react. The East had then launched a pre-emptive attack on Alcion’s major cities. They even attacked the ruling counsel itself, in the process assassinating the few council members determined to retaliate against the East. Those council members had been duly designated by a mole within the Alcion government.

The East had long ago installed the hidden mole to provide information to the East and disinformation and propaganda to Alcion. Suggesting, whenever possible, that the true aggressors were the imperialist and fascist ranks of Alcion itself. After all, their highest leaders had business interests  directly aligned with industrialists controlling immense desert fields in the East. That was where ores were mined from the land and utilized in the antimatter chambers of the Alliance’s quantum-driven starcrafts.

Sure, I know all that, Landry thought. Basic history everybody knows. Why are you bothering me with it now?

Details of an unfolding Alliance counter-intelligence mission flooded into Landry’s mind. Operatives were in place on Alcion. But almost no useful information was coming back. The Earth command of the Alliance had taken a particular interest because the conflict was so similar to that between ancient North America and  Middle East.

The Middle East had first attacked the towers of Old New York. North America had dished out hell to pay for that, but it was not enough. Occupying forces withdrew in a politically unpopular war. An unconquered enemy remained thriving. The enemy only  grew larger and stronger. The organizations of Al Queda, ISIS, ISIL, Hamas, Al Shabaab,  and many others came to execute bloody attacks worldwide seemingly every day. Then came the hostage-taking and killings abroad. The attacks in Old Paris followed by the coordinated attacks within Europe and the American homeland. The bombings of Old New York and Tel Aviv. America had underestimated the insurgent cells embedded into the  homeland itself; and more, the power of naive American sympathizers, a Fifth Column that helped  usher in the invaders.

Bright and shimmering, technically restored ancient video images swam across Landry’s consciousness. Images so clear and vivid that it seemed he was there. 

He saw raging battles and a carnage ravage from coasts east to west, the wide-spread killing of North American military and civilians. But finally North America prevailed. First, trampling the enemy within. Then, turning a final vengeance on the Middle East itself. Landry saw the soldiers marching in. Tanks and front-line artillery missiles destroying everything in their path. Endless miles of rubble and heaps of piled-up corpses by the hundreds of thousands. Still, armies fought. Finally, THE BOMB. And scores of them after that. One hundred times more destruction than Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What was left of the Middle East outside of Israel, and parts of North Africa, was the whimpering and the struggling, the sick and the dying–and  lands to remain excoriated, barren, and desolate for two centuries after. Finally, after the radioactive fall-out had dissipated, the newly forged League of Nations and, finally, the United Earth Confederation, brought irrigation, hydroponics, and immigrants to cultivate, re-build, and re-populate lifeless and undeveloped lands. The former names of ancient