Saving the Academy: The Brad Mendoza Chronicles

Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes #0.5

by Skyler Ramirez

Brad Mendoza doesn’t stand a chance…

A short story in the universe of Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes! What happens when a single cadet is all that stands between his star nation and a violent coup? If you're Brad Mendoza, you find a way to mess things up.

Midshipman Mendoza is quickly learning that life at the Promethean Naval Academy isn’t all he hoped for. Doing poorly in his classes, constantly breaking the rules, and striking out with the female cadets, he’s pretty much hopeless.

But a chance encounter with a mysterious boat on the beach thrusts Brad into the center of a conspiracy of galactic proportions and forces him to take sides in a fight within the Royal Family of Prometheus itself.

Now, Brad will need a lot of help from his friends to not only get out of this alive but maybe even save the entire Academy in the process.

A short story set in the fan-favorite universe of The Worst Ship in the Fleet and Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes, Saving the Academy will keep you guessing as you try to figure out what smart (or very stupid) thing Brad will do next. Equal parts naval academy adventure, military science fiction, mystery, comedy, and space opera, Saving the Academy will take you back to the beginnings of Brad’s naval service and show you just how much of a hero he can be!

This book can be read and enjoyed with or without first reading The Worst Ship in the Fleet.

Genres: Science Fiction

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2023

About the author

Skyler grew up in Southern California, under the best weather that state has to offer. So, he's shown a little of his insanity over the years in moving to colder, wetter places: New York City; Provo, Utah; Bainbridge Island, WA. He now resides with his family in Texas, which (apart from the humidity) gives him that great weather once again.

Skyler has been and continues to be a leader and executive with multiple Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, working across a variety of functions, both technical and non-technical. In other words, he's very much a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Maybe that's why he has now decided to be an author as well. In it, he’s finally found the thing he loves to do most.

Mr. Ramirez currently resides in Texas with his wife, Lindsey, and their four children.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining relationship listening. ✨😯😎✨🎆

This kindle novella is free from Amazon a prequel to the series

An interesting fast moving quick listen to with a little romance action, misdirection, and violence leading to the conclusion.

I would recommend this prequel, series, and author to readers of romantic, space opera, adventure novels. 2024

[Jerry Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read keeps you moving at a good pace

Good characters and good story. Keeps moving with all small details that work well with the story line very noce

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun short in the Mendoza universe where we finally get to hear how Brad got his first King's Star

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining

[Fred Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE EARLY LIFE OF THE CLUELESS, DUMBEST, AND YET ONE OF THE LUCKIEST GUYS IN THE FLEET

Brad Mendoza is a midshipman at the Naval Academy, Hero, and Savior of the Realm, or is he just a "Slobbering Neanderthal?" You'll have decided for yourself. Skyler Ramirez has written another great book (this being a short story and prequel) in his DUMB LUCK and DEAD HEROES series, giving us an insight into Brad and even Carla. This short story is well written and brings us a glance into the start of Brad's naval career and how Brad and Carla meet up. This is a great book for all ages. I enjoyed reading this short story and hope you will too.

[SOTERO RIVERA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story to add to the "Dumb Luck" series.

The story was fun to read, but it was fast and straight to the point. There isn't much in the way of hidden plots or character development. In a good way, the story felt like a cheap sci-fi movie (like the low-budget spinoff Halo movies that came out about 15 years ago), but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Skyler Ramirez is a great writer and fun to read.

[Scott Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just What I Needed

I just finished the latest installment of “Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes” and needed another dose of Brad Mendoza and discovered these short stories. Great addition to the Mendozaverse!

[Bill Lents · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty girls and heroes.....

Short tale filled with action, suspense and pretty girls. Gives an introduction to Brad and what to expect in the series.. Enjoyed. it.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spin off from the dumb luck and dead heroes series, see's Brad back in his academy days. Good back story, as Brad struggles to win the girl and save the academy.

[Leather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good novella, with a Brad Mendoza who is fun to follow in his younger years. The plot isn't anything revolutionary, but I had a good time.

[Queen Talk Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short with a sweet ending.

Nice bit of backstory on a fantastic character. Past Carla comes out looking kinder than present day Carla. More please.

[Chuck Woodbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Dumb Luck

Seems Brad has a penchant for dumb luck. This is a delightful story about how Brad meets his first wife Carla during his Academy days. Short and funny too.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’m Brad Mendoza, failure, murderer, drunk ...”
Add 'idiot' to the above and you've got the full picture of the man he became.
“Saving the Academy” is a short prequel novella which takes place when Brad was a student.
It introduces his first love and also the woman who would become his wife.
The action takes places over a period of a few weeks leading up to the Promethean Naval Academy's annual cadet dance.
What happens that night paves the way for Brad's fast track career.
It's a very fast read and, while nothing special, it's quite readable.
3 Stars.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ramirez, Skyler. Saving the Academy. Persephone Entertainment, 2023. Dumb Luck and Dead Heroes 0.
Brad is a self-acknowledged idiot. And there are lots of folks who second his opinion. Sneaking into the girls’ dorm to give some notes to a girl he hopes to impress, he is caught and sentenced to the night watch, which allows him to spot a plot to take over the academy. He bumbles through but pays a price. This short piece is a prequel to The Worst Ship in the Fleet.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

And why did I hate Carla?

Seriously, why? Oh, that’s right! I won’t spoil it for you.

I love how every story written by this author broaches awkward situations and faces pain head on, with all those odd and stupid feelings out in the open. It makes my own life seem so much less complicated.

[Alan Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelleny

This short story adds to a reference in the main novels and explains fully the references made. Good interesting Read it you like the main novels this is helpful . I enjoyed it So should you

[JimBo Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining story about Brad Mendoza during his academy years and how he saved it and the empire. I loved it. I hung on every word. Skyler Ramirez is a genius. He can create a world that sucks you in. Excellent!

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent backstory

This short story gives some background for Brad, if you're a fan of the series, it's a great read, as you get to see where he meets Carla, and some of his life at the academy.
Fantastic read, great fun.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased this edition on May 21, 2024, from Amazon for free. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. Second class hero, low level romance, military academy stuff sort of.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and quick read

This was a light and quick read. A good introduction to the Brad and Carla characters as well as Laraby Garrison.

[Alan E Gould]

A light fun romp. Good addition to the series

[Teresa Kitchens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short Story

After readung some orger books further into the story line, i loved this throwback . This is a great, fun story that you will love!