The year is 2221, and Humans are thriving after one hundred years of peacefully exploring space and ending warfare in their sector of space. Their peace is shattered, however, by an advanced military empire from another sector bent on changing the balance of power. The Vercons come to conquer Earth in order to begin their campaign to reign over the galaxy. As the Humans race to mobilize the other species in their sector, the Vercons enlist the aid of the Ladrayo pirates to attack Earth’s shipping and cut Earth off from receiving vital supplies. Alone, facing two enemies, and with the fate of the Earth in the balance, Humanity must somehow stop their enemies before it’s too late. The Vercon War is the first book in a series that tells the story of Humanity’s life or death struggle to save the planet from an alien invasion. From combat to intrigue, The Vercon War series reveals how Humans attempt to stand up to a more technologically advanced species, preserve their freedom, and prevent Earth’s annihilation.

The fleet was in formation and ready for the final light speed run to engage the Enemy. “Make ready for the final run,” Admiral Lang ordered. When the Admiral gave the signal, all the ships preformed the final light speed run to their final destination as if they were a single unit. They were about ten minutes in front of the Vercon fleet and out of range of their weapons. “Convert to standard engines,” was her next order. Different engines were required to run a ship at light speed and non-light speeds. It took two minutes to switch between them, the “two-minute warning” as the crew liked to say. During that time a ship could use neither set of engines. Only the ships momentum and thrusters were available, making the ship a sitting duck. Once started, it couldn’t be stopped. The Vercon fleet started maneuvering. She wasn’t worried. They would have plenty of time to counter once the conversion was complete. All ships rang in when the conversion was complete. The battle was on.

“Admiral, the Human fleet has arrived. They finished their final jump and are converting to standard drives,” Admiral Avarius’s Scanner Officer reported. “Are they close enough to attack?” Admiral Avarius asked. “Negative, Admiral.” Well at least they did one thing right, he thought. He wasn’t concerned about that because any amateur could make a final light speed jump and stay out of range of the enemy while they converted to standard drives. “Have the fleet deploy for battle,” was his next order. The Vercon ships powered up their weapons, raised shields, and moved into an attack formation. If the Humans didn’t attack, he would attack them. It’s time to teach these Humans a lesson about war, Admiral Avarius thought.

Admiral Lang was studying the Vercon fleet from her Command Center on the SARATOGA. She had chosen the SARATOGA as her flagship because it was an Eagle class ship, and it had the best CNC center of all the ships. She watched as the Vercon ships powered up their weapons and raised shields. “Send a message to the fleet to form battle formation 246,” she ordered. “Yes, Admiral.” The order was sent, and the Earth fleet instantly changed formation. When they were finished, she gave her next command. “Center and right wings, proceed to attack. Left wing, guard our flank and keep them from maneuvering around us, and 36th Squadron stay in reserve. We’ll need you soon enough.” Since the Human fleet was outnumbered, she planned to hit and hit hard. The Vercon fleet was weakest on their left, and battle formation 246 strengthened the Earth fleet’s center and right. If she struck quick enough, the enemy’s left would collapse. Of course, her left was also weak, but she only expected them to delay the enemy so that the rest of the fleet could do its job. Now it was up to the ship Captains to break through. It’s a textbook situation, Admiral Lang thought. Textbook.

“Sir, the enemy appears to be entering into their battle formation 246.” It was Admiral Avarius’s Tactical Office Captain Fulgan Petari speaking. “They also appear to be keeping one Griffin, three Arrow and three Dart ships in reserve.” “So predictable,” Admiral Avarius said softly. They were in the command center of MONITOR 015 watching the battle unfold. “Hold the 15th and 22nd attack groups in reserve. Have the 16th attack group ready to strengthen the center on my command. Prepare to implement countermeasure maneuvers on my signal.”

“Admiral, the enemy ships have raised their shields.” Admiral Lang knew this would be the most difficult part of the battle. Their weapons wouldn’t penetrate the Vercon shields, so they needed to hit them on the side. Fortunately, there was a maneuver for this—Attack Plan 537. It called for the 36th Squadron to move forward as if they were supporting the attack on the right then swing around the enemy’s right flank and hit them on their exposed starboard side. In order to strengthen their starboard shield, they would have to weaken their front shield and then the enemy would be vulnerable. “All ships engage the Vercon fleet. Thirty-sixth Squadron be prepared to execute Attack Plan 537 on my orders,” Admiral Lang commanded. The Earth fleet engaged the enemy fleet. The battle was on.

Vector cannons and energy guns lit up the stars as the two fleets engaged one another. As expected, the vector cannons were not able to penetrate the Vercon shields, but the Vercons were scoring hits. Captain Isabel Hastings of the YORKTOWN, an Eagle class ship, wasn’t just going to sit there and let her ship take a beating. She would show the Vercons what the Exploration Division could do. She was facing two Monitor ships—one slightly above and port, the other slightly lower and starboard—and it was her job to keep them off the ALLIANCE, the Griffin class ship of her Squadron commander. She turned to her helmsman. “Helmsman, execute maneuver Beta 4.” This maneuver would place her just above the port ship and prevent the second ship from firing at her. As the helmsman executed the order, the YORKTOWN dropped down, then maneuvered up and port to get above the enemy ship. Unfortunately, the Monitor turned as if expecting her to try to get above him. Her Weapons Officer was able to fire at the Monitor’s side, but their shields had been strengthened so little damage was done. When the maneuver was complete, she was facing the Monitor head on with their forward shield at full strength. Undeterred, she immediately ordered, “Helmsman, execute maneuver Epsilon 5.” Everyone can get lucky, she thought. This maneuver would move her halfway back to her starting position so she could fire on both ships’ flanks. As the maneuver was executed, both Monitor ships countered and two Audacious class ships appeared on her rear as the two original Monitors continued attacking the ALLIANCE. Just as Captain Hastings was about to order her next maneuver, two explosions could be heard from the bowels of the YORKTOWN. “Captain,” her Engineering Officer yelled, “we’ve taken five hits on our port side, and we’ve lost two of our main energy feeds. Maneuvering has us down twenty-five percent.” She looked at her main tactical screen. Two more Audacious class ships were moving in, and the ALLIANCE was taking hits.

Things weren’t going any better on the ESSEX, an Eagle class ship. They were in the center wing trying to hold back the Vercons while the right wing pushed forward. “Execute maneuver Beta 9,” the Captain ordered. The helmsman responded with peak efficiency but to no avail. The Vercons responded to this maneuver the same as they did to her last three. Energy guns from two Audacious ships were pummeling the ESSEX. “Captain, damage control reports that last shot took out our aft vector cannons, and we’ve lost life support in three compartments,” the Engineering Officer reported. “Well, if we can’t shoot from behind, we’ll shoot from the front,” the Captain responded with bravado. “Execute maneuver Gamma 2.” Again, the helmsman responded. Again, the Vercons countered. It seemed everything the Captain did the Vercons countered, as if they could read their minds.

Returning with an even larger fleet, the Vercon are determined to conquer Earth. For a quick victory, they must accomplish this goal before Earth can rebuild her fleet. This time the Vercon have put in their best commander, Admiral Lider Puternic, a seasoned warrior who has never lost a battle. On the other side of the sector, Ladrayo pirates have stepped up their attacks on Earth’s shipping in an effort to starve Earth into submission and enslave the planet. As Humans try to rebuild their fleet and mobilize the other species to come their assistance, a conspiracy begins to develop on Earth—a conspiracy that, if successful, will sabotage the war effort and lead to Earth’s defeat. With pirate attacks increasing and conspiracies from within, can Humanity stand up to the Vercon invasion before time runs out? If not, all will be lost. The Vercon War: The Invasion is the second book in a series that tells the story of humanity’s life or death struggle to save the planet from an alien invasion. From combat to intrigue, The Vercon War series reveals how Humans attempt to stand up to a more technologically advanced species, preserve their freedom, and prevent Earth’s annihilation.

“Fire from their ground batteries is slackening, Admiral,” his Tactical Officer reported. “Very well,” Admiral Puternic replied. Soon they would be in range of their nuclear weapons. While the ground defense batteries were his primary concern, it wasn’t his only concern. He was watching Attack Group 19 battle with the bulk of the Human fleet. The Humans were taking a beating and lost ships, but they hadn’t been destroyed. He watched as the Vercons surrounded two ships ready to destroy them only to have EAGLE 001 mount a surprise attack that allowed both to escape. Every time they tried to turn the Human left flank, EAGLE 002 stopped them. They were pushing them closer to the planet’s surface, but the Humans were retreating in good order. It wasn’t a rout.

EAGLE 001 and EAGLE 002. The Human fleet was giving a good account of itself, but these two ships were obviously commanded by exceptional Captains. Outnumbered, out gunned and heavy damaged, these two ships more than any others were keeping the Vercons at bay. He’d read the reports on how they saved the Human fleet at Feena and stopped the bombings of Earth, but that was nothing compared to watching them in actual combat. It was like listening to a master musician preform at the Verconian symphony, the best example of ship tactical maneuvers he had ever seen, even from his own Vercon Captains. They weren’t going to give up no matter what.

As much as he admired them, he couldn’t spend any more time worrying about them. He had a ground defense battery and Human ships to deal with. Then came the words he was waiting for. “Admiral, we’re within bombing range of the Human base.” Admiral Puternic spoke into the fleet communicator, “All Attack Group ships, begin bombing the Human base.” It was time to end this.

It’s like watching one of those ancient video games I’ve heard about, Colonel Holland thought as he watched the Vercons trying to bomb the base. The Vercon ships were firing nuclear weapons at them, but his four Mark 5 vector cannons were destroying them before they reached the base. As long as they were kept at bay, they would be safe. If just one nuke got through the base, though, they would be destroyed. “Damage report,” he ordered. “We’ve lost batteries 2, 3, 11, 12 and 14,” the Damage Control Officer reported. Generators 1 and 12 are also gone, but the Mark 5 vector cannons are all operational.” Good, he thought. “What’s the tactical situation?” “The Vercon fire has slacked but not as much as our return fire,” the Tactical Officer reported. “Their ships coming after our base have taken heavy damage, and some have been destroyed. Admiral Chamber’s ships are battering them from above, and Squadron 82 is keeping the remaining Vercon force off our backs.” “Do everything you can to keep batteries 21 through 24 operational.” Then came the news he dreaded. “Sir! We’ve just lost Battery 24!” “Send a repair team and get it back in operation!” They were keeping the bombs away with four Mark 5 batteries, but three just weren’t enough. Colonel Holland watched the viewers as the bombs kept getting closer and closer. The only good thing was that when the three fifty megaton nuclear bombs finally hit the base, it was over quickly for the defenders.

Admiral Chambers watched in silence as the three mushroom clouds appeared over their base on Printon. The base was lost. Now she had to save the fleet, and she had to act fast before the electrometric pulse, or EMP, reached the ships. She spoke into the fleet communicator, “All ships, execute Operation TOUCHBACK, repeat, execute Operation TOUCHBACK.” Seconds later the EMP reached her ship. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but because of Printon’s composition, the anomalies in the area, and their proximity to the planet, the EMP instantly scrambled their sensors and communications. The fleet was blind and deaf.

Operation TOUCHBACK was an emergency escape plan for the fleet in case the base was destroyed by a nuclear weapon. They realized Printon’s composition and local amoralities would transform the EMP pulse from a nuclear blast into a sensor damping wave for any ship that was too close to the planet’s surface. With the ships blind, Operation TOUCHBACK called for every Earth ship to set an escape course based on their latest position fix, convert to Interstellar Drives, and then rendezvous at Piraeus Station. They would be flying blind, but since there were so few Earth ships, they wouldn’t be in danger of hitting each other and should be able to escape. The Vercons on the other hand had a much larger fleet and would have to worry about running into each other, delaying their pursuit. She only hoped that the Vercon sensors were scrambled as well. If not, they were sitting ducks.