Books Unbound - War on the Horizon Books Unbound E-Publishing Co Category:  Science Fiction Publisher: Books Unbound E-Publishing Co ISBN-10:  1592010164 Type: Fiction Pages: 424 Copyright: Jan 15 2003 The Pontenz Empire has always managed to control their enemies. Those that wish for nothing more than to see the Pontenz Empire crumble so they could rape the universe for their own gain. Separate they are no threat, but what would happen if they combined their force? The Thrux have a new leader. A tactician. A man who is prepared to risk all for the chance to destroy the Pontenz. The freighter captain surveyed the crowd of ships surrounding Pontenzia. He noted that many were freighters, but the majority of them were warships. That has to be the entire fleet! "What the hell…? Did someone decide to have a war and forget to tell us about it?" The co-pilot shrugged and looked worried. "Well let's see if we can drop off the cargo and get out of here." He adjusted the COM for the Pontenz frequency. "Pontenz control, this is Captain Krin from Hunnik, authorization code 7876alpha5. We are requesting landing clearance." After a long pause, the spaceport tower operator responded. "Hunnik Freighter, all landing requests are being rerouted to the fleet flagship. I have transferred you, stand by." Hunnik freighter 7876alpha5, what are you carrying?" The captain and co-pilot exchanged looks when the soft female voice, with unknown accent, addressed him. "Pontenz control, we have salt. We bring a shipment once a month. It should be in your records." "Now is not a good time, Captain. Perhaps you should skip this month." "That is not acceptable! We are in need of supplies for the return trip." "I'm sure you could sell your cargo elsewhere, Captain." "I am not a salesman, Miss. I'm a captain of this ship. My orders are to bring the cargo here, pick up payment, load supplies critical to Hunnik, and return. You will not give me a run around or send me out to the rest of the universe like some errant a peddler." Krin paused, but it didn't diminish his anger. "Now get someone in charge on the COM. I'm not going to deal with some female who can't look up my registration in the records." The copilot reached over and tapped his arm. "Ah… Captain?" "I'm busy, Kirvic. Leave me alone. ...I will not be blown off like a fleck of meteor dust just because they think they are all powerful." The copilot didn't answer, but grabbed his arm and shook it forcefully. The captain scowled and looked up. His jaw dropped when he looked at where his copilot was pointing with his free hand--the forward viewscreen. A Pontenz battle cruiser had turned to face them. He watched as it maneuvered to a position directly in front of their bow. They had opened their torpedo ports. A deep, male voice growled over the speakers. "Do I understand you have a problem, 7876apha5? This is Commander Duran. I am in the warship directly ahead of you. You said you would like to talk to someone in charge. ...That would be me." "C… Commander…? No… no problem. We were just leaving." "I think not, Captain. I have to insist that you remain in orbit and lower your shields. ...I am very interested in meeting a man brave enough to question flagship orders." "Commander, I would never be bold enough to question flagship orders. I am but a humble freighter pilot trying to feed my family." "My mistake. In that case, I want to meet a man stupid enough to argue with the flagship. ...Obey, Captain. Lower you shields. Now! ...I am coming aboard." Excerpt "I need her, Javar." The priest smiled, his pale-blue eyes sparkling in the torchlight. "No, you don't. You needed her in your life to make you the man you are. She has done what she needed to do." Rahul's eyes went hard. "I need her still."

War on the Horizon
This book's plot is heroic. Every one of the evil enemies--defeated individually in books one and two--combine forces to attack the mighty Pontenz Empire. It starts with simple scenery and plots. Individuals face seemingly insurmountable odds, but manage to survive and prevail. Then comes the assassinations. The terrorist attacks. A lost Princess. A decorated soldier who has quit because he can no longer stomach death and destruction suddenly finds himself thrust into a position of leading his people in the war to end all wars.

Wayne Arnold - author of Plausible Deniability