Currently a free e-book during pre-launch of ARMY of SOULS
It has taken Sebastian Scatkiewicz seven years to get his life back together again after the US Marines dumped him onto world of mass unemployment. But now he’s finally gotten himself some well-paid work on one of the New Worlds in the Outer-Rim, hundreds of light years away from an over-populated, climatically-challenged and resource-poor Earth. Now he’s building a new life for himself; something he wants to protect.
Only nothing in the Outer-Rim is as the brochure says. The company’s mandate to rule is under threat; the 3rd generation residents are agitating for independence; and the day-to-day politics is both muddy and murderous. Scat keeps his head down: these are things best left to the locals. He's going to ride this one out by sitting on the fence - this isn't his fight.
If only people would listen.
23rd century Earth is on its chinstraps; climate change is a reality; global crop yields are falling and its 21bn population depends on the resources of the corporate-owned New Worlds to survive from year to year. When lobbyists say these companies are "too big to fail", they aren't angling for a bail out to prevent a recession. If they fail, so too does Earth.
So, a rebellion against corporate rule on the New Worlds is a catastrophe in the making. That is, until the rapacious Lynthax Corporation stumbles on a remarkable new technology; one so advanced it promises to solve Earth’s problems at a stroke.
Only saving Earth isn’t its top priority; instead it’s using the discovery to turn itself into a sovereign power across thousands of light years of space.
As conflicting interests collide, Scat finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s trying to steer clear of trouble, earn a living and breathe no cost air, but neither Lynthax, the rebels or Earth can afford to leave him be…
Professional Reviews
In the six month period after his first entry, Scat stepped out onto 54 new worlds.
5*
That's right 54 new worlds in six months. Scat, at one time or another a lowly grunt, unwilling corporate spy , rebel leader, convicted economic criminal for crimes against humanity ( in absentia ) had been railroaded again!
This is a very complex, well written SciFi tale at it's traditional best. There is quite a few very good new science fiction out, but not alot as robust or on as grand a scale as this. It is an enjoyable read and has a little something for everyone.
A+ 100! An excellent read
In the 23rd century, Earth has 21 billion people that must be fed. Resources are limited and declining quickly. The only solution is to mine Outer-Rim planets.
Ex-Marine Sebastian Scatkiewicz, Scat, is hired to mine those planets by the largest corporation of them all in the biggest land-grab ever. Once there, he faces a dilemma. He must decide whether to be condemned as a murderer or rebel against the powers that be.
The plot twists are exciting and catch you off guard. They make it impossible to stop reading once started. Be warned, you will NOT be able to put it down until the mind blowing conclusion!
Best thing of all, a sequel to Scat, Army of Souls, will be released in February or March 2013. Jim also has written another rebellion novel, Birdie Down.
Scat rocks!
Scat by Jim Graham is a great, futuristic tale involving everything you could expect to come from a Sci-fi story; be it rebels wanting to break their chains to Earth or frightening, very god-like aliens. The word Scat is actually a person, a high ranking Earth soldier with the last name Scatkiewicz. Soon after the story begins, he is hired to act as a spy and help keep an eye on the ever-growing society of those who live away from the planet, people who find that their lives and work only produce what is endlessly gobbled up by the very overpopulated Earth.
Living as a spy to try getting close to people can start to make that spy see things from the `enemy's' point of view. Before long Scat almost considers himself to to be one of the colony-rebels. His experience as a soldier before-hand makes him to be a quite worthy adversary. The problem that his enemies face is deciding if it would do them better to rid the universe of is anger for them or to try using his strength as their own asset.
This story had me riveted. I enjoyed the interactions between the people, and the descriptions of futuristic technology. The idea of the controller aliens and their technology caught me as sickeningly fun.
Nine New Novellas, Part III is a collection of nine sci-fi/paranormal stories to complement the nine in Nine New Novellas, Nine New Novellas Part II and Nine New Novellas, Part IV.
Chaos on Earth began with an evil snake in the garden, peace can be restored by a Divine snake from the light of the small chandelier that has no power source. Can Jenny and Joseph get help from the planet Jupiter, in time?
