Scorpio

Narc #3

by Mel Keegan

Jarrat and Stone are back, and if the Equinox assignment presented a challenge, this one is a rollercoaster. Aurora is an old colony developed by sleeper ship and now booming. Its capital, the city of Thule, is rife with Angel abuse and Tactical has accumulated a vast body of evidence on 'Scorpio.' The syndicate has corporate connections, right back to the homeworlds. Tactical Colonel Kris Janssen -- last generation of a 'First Fleet' family -- has cremated four officers who attempted to investigate the man at its helm. Young Marcus Brand has been in cryogenic suspension since the early days of the Angel war, 25 years before. His wealthy father bought a sleeper-ship's cryotank to preserve him after Angel overdose. Now eighty years old, Cassius Brand learns of Harry Del’s work with Jarrat and Stone, and contacts Del, wanting him to perform his 'T/87 mutoid' miracles for Marcus. Since the technique remains experimental, Harry refers the request to NARC. As Jarrat and Stone complete their report on the Equinox Industries operation and take on their new assignment -- Scorpio -- Harry receives clearance to work with Marc’s cryo-frozen body. The tank is shipped to secure NARC labs on Darwin's World, aboard a Starfleet tender. But en route it's assaulted -- Marc almost does not survive in suspension long enough to reach Del's lab. Jarrat, Stone and CMO Kip Reardon realize the truth at once. Someone tried to murder Marcus Brand. To keep secret something he knew 25 years ago? Secrets that could spell the end for Scorpio? The investigation takes Jarrat and Stone into the hearts of Aurora's super-cities, but the seeds of rot lie as far away as Mars, in Earth's own backyard.

Genres: Science Fiction, M M Romance, Romance, LGBT

491 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

A self-confessed science fiction and fantasy devotee, Keegan is known for novels across a wide range of subjects, from the historical to the future action-adventure. Mel lives in South Australia with an eccentric family and a variety of pets.

Every Mel Keegan book is strong on gay or bisexual heroes (also, often, on gay villains), and some of these heroes are the most delicious in fiction: Jarrat and Stone from the NARC series, Bill Ryan and Jim Hale from The Deceivers, Neil Travers and Curtis Marin from Hellgate, and many more unforgettable characters. Because Mel's books feature the same sex relationships, the partnership at the core of each book is integral: this is the relationship driving the story, and it can be very powerful indeed.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS Another absolutely heart stopping sci-fi thriller, not only is every book so far an epic in itself, they're writing, plots and overall psychological impact are excellent for their genre. Read with Valium or beta-blockers handy.

[Xing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded to 4

By this point in the series, there really isn't much new material I can add to the review. If you liked Death's Head and Equinox, then Scorpio should be right up there with its predecessors. This installment brings in an old comrade from Death's Head (about time!) and also has more involvement with Harry Del, who took the back burner during Equinox.

My biggest gripe with Scorpio is that it didn't bring anything new in the relationship between Stone and Jarrat. While book one established the relationship and empathy and book two had the two MCs working with their new found connection under observation from higher-ups, Scorpio only hinted at possible problems with their empathy and what this could mean for the future of NARC. The relationship, while still containing moments of intimacy between Stone and Jarrat, pretty much took second place behind the actual conflict in Thule with Scorpio (even the empathy played little role in the investigation asides from the brief undercover mission). While the investigation and conflict in itself was superb, I kind of wished there was more material to explore in the MCs relationship or their empathic connection.

[2Due · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I loved the characters, the action, the story, the romance, but even more than the previous book. I adored the bond between Jarrat and Stone, stronger and more intense where we see how they learn to adapt to their link and how precious they are for each other. Set and story are really creative and I really enjoyed how elaborate things got. Although, the beginning is a bit slow and the end seems a bit rushed, but it was really worth it after all, can't wait to grab the sequels!

[Marge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good action scenes, with a lot of worldbuilding, most of which was great. I did feel there was a bit too much politics between NARC, Starfleet, Tactical, temporary leaders, observers, etc. Stoney and Kevin are getting even closer and are occasionally able to enjoy their established relationship. It's Kevin's turn to go back undercover and both he and Stoney have to learn to deal with the fact that their jobs are dangerous, and one of them could be left alone.

We see Harry Del again from Death's Head, being accepted as a healer by NARC. The major plot Harry was there for was unresolved by the end of the book, leaving something to look forward to in the rest of the series. There is no cliffhanger, though. The major plotlines of Scorpio are pretty well tied up at the end.

I highly recommend this book as long as you remember this is gay fiction and not the newer style m/m romance. There is definite romance and some nice sex scenes between the guys, but the focus of the story is action and their war against the deadly drug Angel.

[Lady*M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is entirely personal preference but, after the second reading, I enjoyed Scorpio the most. The book had everything: mystery, technology, politics, action. The highlight was HALO jump from space which would make Felix Baumgartner's jump the child's play. Go Ravens!

The stakes go higher and higher for Jarrat and Stone and the results are delicious. Great, great series.