Realspace Real Chase: Mission 6

by J.S. Morin

They can run but they can't hide. Also, they can't run.

A routine resupply stop takes a terrifying turn when the crew of the Arete realize they're unable to access astral space. Now, intelligence services across the galaxy are realizing that the advanced haathee vessel is trapped in realspace and unable to flee. Now, Captain Jessie Ramsey has to play the less enviable role in a game of cat and mouse. Her ship is tough, great in a fight, but there's only so much she can handle at once.

Meanwhile, the crew scrambles to find a way to repair the star-drive. They have limited materials on hand, a damaged example unit that was jury-rigged to begin with, and no one who knows exactly how one is supposed to work. Hunting pirates was supposed to earn them goodwill, but it's hard to recruit when you're being pursued by Martian warships and a band of pirates who desperately want something you stole from them.

All in a day's work for an outlaw starship captain.

Realspace Real Chase is the sixth mission of Black Passage of Time, a science fantasy series set in the late 26th century. What if Futurama jumped 5 years ahead instead of 1000? What if Doc and Marty lost the car keys? What if Bonnie and Clyde were siblings instead of lovers? Passage of Time jolts the Black Ocean universe forward into new adventures and new perils with a new cast of zany misfits trying to outsmart the galaxy just to get by.

Strap in and hold on tight. Passage of Time is the latest series in the Black Ocean universe, and it’s going to be an action-packed, mystery-filled, madcap ride across the galaxy!

Genres: Science Fiction

175 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

I am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.

Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.

I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.

My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not even sure what to make of this series.

[Kelly Peasgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie is growing into the role of captain and her rag-tag crew are beginning to get a feel for their respective roles (though we don't see much of Grosstet here). Jessie is also starting to find a grudging respect for Carl despite having her world-view turned upside-down when it comes to her father and his past.

Eric continues to be a fascinating mix of incredible and frightening power, and utter naivete, able to lose himself in his own worlds while convinced he has no real role to play on the ship. Which is a bit of a bother when Jessie suddenly finds herself in desperate need of his abilities.

The power struggle of the other players outside the ship continues to evolve, with everyone wanting a piece of the alien tech, and willing to go to interesting lengths to get it.

Emily is just plain creepy :)

Future installments promise some fun twists given the newest recruits introduced at the end!

[Brett Wickersham · Rating 5 out of 5]

We resume our adventure as Jessie continues to try and grow her crew, all while trying to make this strange alien starship work right.
Meanwhile, the ship is being watched from afar by envious eyes; so when the astral drive fails, leaving the ship stranded in real space. those watchers decide the time to act has come.
Onboard a hurried effort to make repairs is hindered when the one person on board who might be able to help with repairs is "indisposed"
This was a great slice of life entry to the series, with just enough tension to keep the pages turning.

[Faith Hakimian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying how complex some of these characters are, not to mention how fun it is to see so many old faces popping up. So far, this series seems to be very comfortably walking the line between having likeable characters who make some questionable decisions, probably even moreso than any other Black Ocean series so far. If you've read and enjoyed any of the Black Ocean books before, this series is probably for you, too.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.