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The Operative
It can really suck to work for relatives. Particularly when your uncle's an egomaniacal, power-hungry narcissist who wants to take over the galaxy.
Former Recon Marine Randall Munroe has been working as a hired gun for the Corporate Council for years, doing the dirty work of its Director, Andre Damiani, because he's had no choice - and because Andre is his uncle. But when Damiani gets his hands on incredibly dangerous alien technology, it's time to fight back.
Munroe has seen the lost wonders of the ancient alien race, the Predecessors, who vanished tens of thousands of years ago after terraforming hundreds of planets and setting up a system of wormhole jumpgates to allow us access to them. He knows that Damiani plans to use the technology to take over the Commonwealth government, and he's forced to go to the last person in human space he'd ever thought to ask for his mother.
A powerful Corporate Council executive, Munroe's mother, Patrice Damiani, once tried to force him into the life she'd planned for him as her protege, and his response was to join the Marines. Now, they have a common if her brother Andre takes over the Commonwealth, he won't have any compunction about disposing of his rivals and enemies, and Patrice Damiani has been his rival since they were born.
Munroe has his own problems, though. His handler, a former cut-throat mercenary officer named Calderon, has begun to suspect that Munroe and some of his team of door-kickers have been conspiring against Andre Damiani. Calderon didn't need another reason to hate and resent Munroe, and if he catches him, he won't hesitate to kill him and everyone he loves. This time, there's no way out for Munroe except a fight to the death....
The 4th and final installment of the Recon Series from Rick Partlow, set in his bestselling Drop Trooper Universe. This is Military Science Fiction the way it's meant to be!
Former Recon Marine Randall Munroe has been working as a hired gun for the Corporate Council for years, doing the dirty work of its Director, Andre Damiani, because he's had no choice - and because Andre is his uncle. But when Damiani gets his hands on incredibly dangerous alien technology, it's time to fight back.
Munroe has seen the lost wonders of the ancient alien race, the Predecessors, who vanished tens of thousands of years ago after terraforming hundreds of planets and setting up a system of wormhole jumpgates to allow us access to them. He knows that Damiani plans to use the technology to take over the Commonwealth government, and he's forced to go to the last person in human space he'd ever thought to ask for his mother.
A powerful Corporate Council executive, Munroe's mother, Patrice Damiani, once tried to force him into the life she'd planned for him as her protege, and his response was to join the Marines. Now, they have a common if her brother Andre takes over the Commonwealth, he won't have any compunction about disposing of his rivals and enemies, and Patrice Damiani has been his rival since they were born.
Munroe has his own problems, though. His handler, a former cut-throat mercenary officer named Calderon, has begun to suspect that Munroe and some of his team of door-kickers have been conspiring against Andre Damiani. Calderon didn't need another reason to hate and resent Munroe, and if he catches him, he won't hesitate to kill him and everyone he loves. This time, there's no way out for Munroe except a fight to the death....
The 4th and final installment of the Recon Series from Rick Partlow, set in his bestselling Drop Trooper Universe. This is Military Science Fiction the way it's meant to be!
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2023
67 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Rick Partlow
215 books373 followersRick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 26, 2025
Still fighting for freedom
Munroe is tired and frustrated, but despite the loss of Kane he’s stuck for the time being. He wants to be with Sophie and their son but Cowboy makes it clear that he’s on the hook if he wants to remain free of the clutches of his own mother.
The group is still loyal to him as they continue their missions while they conspire to frustrate the goals of “Uncle Andre”, the cultists & assorted bad actors like the Sung brothers or the mercenaries.
Partlow keeps the action nearly nonstop and brings this series to a reasonable conclusion (even though it would be fun to read a few more books with the characters!)
Munroe is tired and frustrated, but despite the loss of Kane he’s stuck for the time being. He wants to be with Sophie and their son but Cowboy makes it clear that he’s on the hook if he wants to remain free of the clutches of his own mother.
The group is still loyal to him as they continue their missions while they conspire to frustrate the goals of “Uncle Andre”, the cultists & assorted bad actors like the Sung brothers or the mercenaries.
Partlow keeps the action nearly nonstop and brings this series to a reasonable conclusion (even though it would be fun to read a few more books with the characters!)
December 2, 2023
Munroe: the self-aware marionette
Munroe is back at it; kicking arse and shooting people in the face. Tired of being yanked this way and that by the family power struggle, he finally does something about the strings tangled around him and starts the endgame rolling. Certain people get what's coming to them, with extreme prejudice.
As always, a delightfully engaging read! Well-paced with excellent detail, this installment of Drop Trooper: Recon is a absolutely worth your time.
Munroe is back at it; kicking arse and shooting people in the face. Tired of being yanked this way and that by the family power struggle, he finally does something about the strings tangled around him and starts the endgame rolling. Certain people get what's coming to them, with extreme prejudice.
As always, a delightfully engaging read! Well-paced with excellent detail, this installment of Drop Trooper: Recon is a absolutely worth your time.
April 28, 2024
Satisfying ending
I guess I can be a sucker for happy endings. Some good folks died, but still large a happy ending! Lots of intense and action throughout. It's a very satisfying read.
I guess I can be a sucker for happy endings. Some good folks died, but still large a happy ending! Lots of intense and action throughout. It's a very satisfying read.
November 23, 2024
Excellent
"The Operative" is an excellent ending to an exciting mini series that is a spin-off of the "Drop Trooper" series. It has all the excitement, the action and the suspense of the other books in the "Drop Trooper" universe. Enjoy.
"The Operative" is an excellent ending to an exciting mini series that is a spin-off of the "Drop Trooper" series. It has all the excitement, the action and the suspense of the other books in the "Drop Trooper" universe. Enjoy.
May 25, 2023
Great story telling!!
I really enjoyed this series. Very creative. Fast moving, and typical human conflict amongst ourselves. It would be nice to see a follow up. David Schlosser
I really enjoyed this series. Very creative. Fast moving, and typical human conflict amongst ourselves. It would be nice to see a follow up. David Schlosser
May 28, 2023
Great...
Never lacking. Many good stories, hopefully many more. Thanks. Looking for number 5t
Thru ..... Do not forget the other series thou
Never lacking. Many good stories, hopefully many more. Thanks. Looking for number 5t
Thru ..... Do not forget the other series thou
July 22, 2023
More good stuff
From controllers to the spin offs. All good reads. I have re-read the droptroopers a few times now I'm looking forward to the spin offs and such
From controllers to the spin offs. All good reads. I have re-read the droptroopers a few times now I'm looking forward to the spin offs and such
December 27, 2023
Very good
In many ways probably the best book in the series. Read it and see. Darn I need 6 more words!
In many ways probably the best book in the series. Read it and see. Darn I need 6 more words!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews