Ship of Destiny

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

SURROUNDED BY DEATH, THE SECRET OF IMMORTALITY IS WITHIN REACH.A new novel of space exploration andalien contact fromChain of Commandauthor Frank Chadwick.

Sam Bitka, a naval reserve officer, is recalled to wartime service and soon earns a reputation for aggressive tactics and insufficient deference to his academy-graduated superiors. His latest run-in with authority earns him a transfer to command of an armed transport, USSCam Ranh Bay.

When a mysterious alien probe materializes from Jump Space and remotely reprogramsThe Bay'sstar drive, Sam and his crew begin an involuntary voyage that takes them three thousand light years out of known space, across the galactic rift to the Sagittarius Spiral Arm, and into the heart of an ancient, previously unknown civilizationthe first encountered by Humans and the other five races of theCottohazzStellar Commonwealthin over a century. The genetically alteredimmortals known as The Guardians, a race so old they do not remember their own origins, soon turn murderously violent.

Now Sam and his crew must elude capture by the Guardians, find some means of reprogramming their own star drive, and then return to theCottohazzwith the news of a powerful new civilization bent on their destruction. But they may also be carrying the secrets of the origin of their own star drive and of the path to immortality.

Praise forChain of Command:

Chadwicks heavy hitter succeeds at teeth-gritting action scenes, deep psychological portraits of diverse characters and societies, and abundant puzzles and mysteries. All . . . mixed in seamlessly with the vivid tragedies of war and balanced with dark humor.Publishers Weekly,starred review

". . . strong characterization and the briskness of the plot should please.Fans of military sf and of Chadwick, in particular, should give it a look."Booklist

"Chain of Commandis very smartly put together . . .Chadwick gets the details right, whether he's talking about the effects of prolonged weightlessness or the intricacies of geo and interstellar politics and economics . . .a solid piece of Mil-SF writing that pulls from many historical sources and manages to convey a lot of what the Surface Navy is like. . . . It isn't the steel hulls that make the navy tough, it's the sailors that crew them."SFRevu

AboutCome the Revolution:
[A]dventure, family secrets and humor. . . . The plot is as hard as the science Chadwick uses. . . . [E]ngages readers. First-rate science fiction; it moves at a fast pace throughout.The Galveston County Daily News

"Chadwick offers an exciting military SF story set on the Varoki home planet of HazzAkato in his follow up toHow Dark the World Becomes . . .Chadwick, a leading designer of military and science-fiction board- and role-playing games, knows his way around a battlefield . . . eccentric cohorts are entertaining, and a few surprises guarantee that readers will be seeing more of this series."Booklist

"This sequel toHow Dark the World Becomesis a fast-paced, action-packed sf adventure. Readers new to Chadwicks series will be able to start here without too much trouble; essential background information is given, and the author leaps straight into an original story set two years after the previous entry.Library Journal

AboutHow Dark the World Becomes:
How Dark the World Becomesis a crackling debut novel that speaks of great things to come! It's whip-smart, lightning-fast and character-drivenin short it has everything required to be totally satisfying. Highly recommended." Jonathan Maberry,New York Timesbest-selling author ofAssassins Code

. . . [a] far off, hard scrabble intergalactic underworld . . . fast-paced intergalactic adventure full of far-flung alien intrigue.Astroguyz

" .. . thrilling space adventure . . . I was reminded of Jack McDevitt's Alex Benedict novels and Mark L. Van Name's Jon & Lobo adventures."SFCrowsnest

Author Bio

Frank ChadwickistheNew York Timesnumber one best-selling nonfiction author of over two hundred books, articles, and columns on military history and military affairs, as well as over one hundred military and science fiction board and role-playing games. His game Space: 1889 was the first Steampunk game and remains a cult favorite. His other game writing credits include legendary fantasy game En Garde!, groundbreaking SF role playing game Traveller: The New Era, and many others. Chadwicks SF novels includeCome the Revolution,How Dark the World Becomesandsteampunk thrillerThe Forever Engine, allfrom Baen Books.