"stark outer space military science fiction"
Attempts for peace throughout the galaxy appear impossible
and a deadly intergalactic war seems imminent. Most
understand that billions will die and whole planets
destroyed if the fragile treaty collapses. Yet the Rojok
dictator Mangus Lo pushes hostilities with his brutal
assaults on planets; his objective to be the lone ruler of
the galaxy. In minutes he turned the trial peace planet
Terramer with a colony from one hundred twenty federation
planets into dust killing ten million. After failing to prevent the latest Rojok war crime, on
board the SSC Bellatrix, horrified Tri-Fleet Strategic
Space Command officers Lieutenant Commander Madeline
Ruszel, Dr. Strick Hahnson and Captain Holt Stern along
with their crew are forced to flee their damaged
spaceship. They manage to gain passage on the Holoconcom
vessel Morcai, but the divergent groups clash. When a
betrayal leaves members of both sides imprisoned and
tortured by the Rojok, Holt knows he must unite the two
sides if they are to escape to fight another day against
an amoral enemy who wantonly kills innocent people in
order to terrorize his foes. THE MORCAI BATTALION is a rewriting modernization (seems
odd to state modernizing a futuristic tale) of a 1980s
Diana Palmer science fiction thriller. The story line is
action-packed with the galaxy containing numerous
populated planets at war. Readers will root for the good
guys especially Holt, but though limited in appearance,
Rojok steals the show with his mental forceless Darth
Vader like contempt for everyone else. Not for fans of
Ms. Palmer's western romances, fans of stark outer space
military science fiction will appreciate this sobering at
war thriller. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 2, 2007
SummaryA rag-tag band of humans from the Terravegan colonies fights
the Rojok invaders and their ship is destroyed. Rescued by
the Centaurian commander of the terror-inspiring Holconcom,
the humans must learn to live with their hostile alien
counterparts when they are captured by the Rojoks and thrown
into the galaxy's most horrible prison camp. The female
exobiologist has to save the life of the alien commander in
order to save her captain, her comrades, and herself.
A rocket ride full of action, humor, and sacrifice.
Originally published in 1980 by Manor Books, writing as
Susan S. Kyle - this edition has been revised and 8 new
chapters added.
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