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The Artifact
In a galaxy on the brink of civil war, the Brotherhood seeks to keep peace through diplomacy, subterfuge, and control of both technological advances and the carefully gathered knowledge of countless worlds. But now Speaker Archon, formerly a privateer and currently head of the world of Star’s Rest, has brought news of a discovery that may prove a great boon to humankind or a catalyst for its destruction.
The Brotherhood ship Boaz , carrying diplomats representing all the human planets, stations, and colonies, is launched on a journey to distant Star’s Rest. Only Archon and his daughter know what awaits them there. And neither they nor Captain Carrasco can anticipate the treacherous games of intrigue and betrayal about to be played out aboard Boaz .
Yet the greatest danger is that they will actually survive to reach Star’s Rest and the alien Artifact. For this creation of a long-vanished civilization has been waiting patiently for millennia to lure humans to extinction....
The Brotherhood ship Boaz , carrying diplomats representing all the human planets, stations, and colonies, is launched on a journey to distant Star’s Rest. Only Archon and his daughter know what awaits them there. And neither they nor Captain Carrasco can anticipate the treacherous games of intrigue and betrayal about to be played out aboard Boaz .
Yet the greatest danger is that they will actually survive to reach Star’s Rest and the alien Artifact. For this creation of a long-vanished civilization has been waiting patiently for millennia to lure humans to extinction....
528 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
14 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
181 books730 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 10, 2024
Stars spun in silver wreaths through the blackness – twirls of cold light dancing in ammonia-frost patterns against velvet black. Flickers of ghostly radiation played the breadth of the spectrum and crossed eternity, finding its way to her acute sensors. An endless song of suns alive and long dead keened in her ears. She watched the unraveling play of the universe: twisting gases; the compaction of He II emissions glowing ever brighter; the flickers of fusion; the aging brilliance and violent death of powerful stars.
She waited – alone.
Another artifact book that is more concerned with the general reaction to the artifact than the artifact itself. Well, we need these as well. Fortunately, the author does not completely neglect his idea, and there is enough information to keep things interesting; this is no big dumb object either.
”Let me assure you that we’re playing games upon games in circles within circles.”
This is a very good book, if a bit talky; there is a lot of focus on politics between human factions (which has obviously been extrapolated from the political status quo at the time that the novel was written).
The space action sequences, when they occur, are very well written. The author also manages to convey a lot of “mood” with his descriptions, on both sides of the spectrum (dread vs wonder/excitement).
Memories, like knives, slipped stingingly through his guts.
It reminded me of the intrigue-driven SF of authors like Lois McMaster Bujold or L.E. Modesitt Jr..
I would like to seek out more of W. Michael Gear’s work, possibly something like Outpost.
3.5 stars
She waited – alone.
Another artifact book that is more concerned with the general reaction to the artifact than the artifact itself. Well, we need these as well. Fortunately, the author does not completely neglect his idea, and there is enough information to keep things interesting; this is no big dumb object either.
”Let me assure you that we’re playing games upon games in circles within circles.”
This is a very good book, if a bit talky; there is a lot of focus on politics between human factions (which has obviously been extrapolated from the political status quo at the time that the novel was written).
The space action sequences, when they occur, are very well written. The author also manages to convey a lot of “mood” with his descriptions, on both sides of the spectrum (dread vs wonder/excitement).
Memories, like knives, slipped stingingly through his guts.
It reminded me of the intrigue-driven SF of authors like Lois McMaster Bujold or L.E. Modesitt Jr..
I would like to seek out more of W. Michael Gear’s work, possibly something like Outpost.
3.5 stars
March 3, 2022
The Artifact by W. Michael Gear
The future is illustrated by a vast diaspora. Fragments of today’s geopolitical entities have settled in the far reaches of space. The Brotherhood which may or may not be Masonic strive to remain aloof from politics while emphasizing scientific advances. Sol, a ship captain of the Brotherhood, finds himself on a mysterious quest with a former mercenary and his well accomplished daughter. The object of the quest is an artifact that can change the composition of reality.
The development of AI is a strong part of the book. Boaz, Sol’s ship, defines new limits for artificial intelligence. Oddly in my own two novels, I suggest that discrimination against any intelligence regardless of its underpinnings is abhorrent. I digress but since I’m writing this, it is my prerogative.
The interactions of diverse societies in the closed environment of a ship, leads to much subterfuge. There is a wealth of characters and a plethora of action.
I heartily enjoyed the book.
The future is illustrated by a vast diaspora. Fragments of today’s geopolitical entities have settled in the far reaches of space. The Brotherhood which may or may not be Masonic strive to remain aloof from politics while emphasizing scientific advances. Sol, a ship captain of the Brotherhood, finds himself on a mysterious quest with a former mercenary and his well accomplished daughter. The object of the quest is an artifact that can change the composition of reality.
The development of AI is a strong part of the book. Boaz, Sol’s ship, defines new limits for artificial intelligence. Oddly in my own two novels, I suggest that discrimination against any intelligence regardless of its underpinnings is abhorrent. I digress but since I’m writing this, it is my prerogative.
The interactions of diverse societies in the closed environment of a ship, leads to much subterfuge. There is a wealth of characters and a plethora of action.
I heartily enjoyed the book.
July 29, 2011
This book would have benefitted from a total rewrite. The protagoniste was unbelievable; the protagonist plausible. Dialogue was crisp, rich, even momentarily witty; the well-constructed main plot was linear and identifiable; could have been rebuilt out from there.
It wasn't.
Not a bad brain vacation, but did not earn a recommendation.
It wasn't.
Not a bad brain vacation, but did not earn a recommendation.
October 9, 2022
Review of the Artifact by W Michael Gear
a comparison of political identities from the kingdom ship, communisms, "brotherhoods", democracy many political comments on America loosing its power to ineptitude. the artifact or the sword of Satan is a good terminology for the ability it has to see all and change all, the fact that it is insane makes you wonder if its power that corrupts or insanity that makes people powerful. I liked the solution Sol came up with and how he removed temptation from the corruption of humanity. The characters are wonderful, the only flaws are niktas accent makes him hard to understand but he is an entering character any ways. elvain is way too sexual for her introduced role and it is explained with her origin, but it was unfortunate that sexual abuse was so tolerated by her, her father and it seems her culture. very dynamic and intriguing to read, can be absorbing at times . in all a great book. culture. very dynamic and intriguing to read, can be absorbing at times . in all a great book.
a comparison of political identities from the kingdom ship, communisms, "brotherhoods", democracy many political comments on America loosing its power to ineptitude. the artifact or the sword of Satan is a good terminology for the ability it has to see all and change all, the fact that it is insane makes you wonder if its power that corrupts or insanity that makes people powerful. I liked the solution Sol came up with and how he removed temptation from the corruption of humanity. The characters are wonderful, the only flaws are niktas accent makes him hard to understand but he is an entering character any ways. elvain is way too sexual for her introduced role and it is explained with her origin, but it was unfortunate that sexual abuse was so tolerated by her, her father and it seems her culture. very dynamic and intriguing to read, can be absorbing at times . in all a great book. culture. very dynamic and intriguing to read, can be absorbing at times . in all a great book.
May 3, 2021
Great read!
February 2, 2023
It has been a while since I have read this book. I remember enjoying the ride it took me on. Great job, Michael on a spooky Sci-Fi adventure!
April 13, 2024
Absolutely tortured prose. Made it about ten pages because it was actually painful to read.
March 15, 2025
The Artifact
The plot is excellent and the background is also well done the characters are well put together I would recommend this book to everybody who likes sy-fi
The plot is excellent and the background is also well done the characters are well put together I would recommend this book to everybody who likes sy-fi
March 1, 2022
3.5. I ultimately enjoyed my time with The Artifact, but it wasn’t without some rough spots. I actually thought the premise was solid and interesting and I did come to really like the characters. My issue with this book is that it’s just wayyy too long for no good reason, and it became quite a slog to get through in some places. I pushed through though and I don’t regret it because I did like most other things about it, but did their trip on a spaceship from point A to point B really need to be 300 pages?? Besides the pacing, length, and the fact that every woman in this book tries to have sex with the protagonist, I thought it was generally well-written.
October 8, 2022
The artifact by W. Michael Gear
Review:
a comparison of political identities from the kingdom ship, communism, "brotherhoods", democracy.
The book shows many political comments on America losing its power to ineptitude.
the artifact or the sword of Satan is a good terminology for the ability it has to see all and change all, the fact that it is insane makes you wonder if its power that corrupts or insanity that makes people powerful. I liked the solution Sol came up with and how he removed temptation from the corruption of humanity.
The characters are wonderful, the only flaws are niktas accent makes him hard to understand but he is an entering character any ways. Elvain is way too sexual for her introduced role and it is explained with her origin, but it was unfortunate that sexual abuse was so tolerated by her, her father and it seems her culture.
Very dynamic and intriguing to read, can be absorbing at times.
In all a great book
Review:
a comparison of political identities from the kingdom ship, communism, "brotherhoods", democracy.
The book shows many political comments on America losing its power to ineptitude.
the artifact or the sword of Satan is a good terminology for the ability it has to see all and change all, the fact that it is insane makes you wonder if its power that corrupts or insanity that makes people powerful. I liked the solution Sol came up with and how he removed temptation from the corruption of humanity.
The characters are wonderful, the only flaws are niktas accent makes him hard to understand but he is an entering character any ways. Elvain is way too sexual for her introduced role and it is explained with her origin, but it was unfortunate that sexual abuse was so tolerated by her, her father and it seems her culture.
Very dynamic and intriguing to read, can be absorbing at times.
In all a great book
February 6, 2016
It took a little bit to get going, but once it did, I began to get into the story more and more. Probably could have cut the journey to Star's Rest in half, since it was hard caring about that many characters, and it would have made a better read. Also expanding the combat sections so that you know... oh, what the heck was going on, would have been helpful.
But even with all that, still liked it, but the flaws kept it from getting high stars.
But even with all that, still liked it, but the flaws kept it from getting high stars.
March 20, 2010
Engrossing mystery about an alien artifact found that could potentially destroy everything. This book is by a favorite author of mine whose other books I have read have been about ancient Native American cultures. He writes really excellent science fiction as well. I will seek out other of his sci-fi books.
Read
September 8, 2012Interesting. The author seems to know a bit about physics, which is refreshing. My favorite character, however,, was the ship. The others were interesting enough, but Boaz was the Brest of them.
The story itself was good. A nibit of intrigue, some murder, politics at the interstellar level, combat at. several levels and scales and a bit of romance were all included, so all the bases were covered
The story itself was good. A nibit of intrigue, some murder, politics at the interstellar level, combat at. several levels and scales and a bit of romance were all included, so all the bases were covered
February 7, 2013
Hm... let's see - a tortured Captain too dumb to see the blind spot in his supercomputer's sense, not one but two Madonna/Whore complexes, an insane super-device, and a cardboard villain.
Now I see why this was a $1 at Half-Price. Heh.
Now I see why this was a $1 at Half-Price. Heh.
Want to read
August 17, 2013Picked it up in a Book Trade box, looked interesting.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews