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Tachyon Tunnel #2
Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire
From award-winning author, entrepreneur, scientist, engineer, and storyteller Michael Gorton, whose real-life innovations have launched industries, comes the thrilling second chapter in a science fiction series unlike any other.
In Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire , Alex Durant and his team return to Earth after mastering an astonishing technology that allows travel across both space and time. What they uncover upon their return, however, is a universe ruled by the fearsome Daklin Empire, an authoritarian force that has dominated the galaxy for millions of years.
As Alex and his lifetime love, Paula, along with their son Zander race to safeguard Earth, they must grapple with chilling that the galaxy’s ancient tachyon tunnel network was not created by the Daklin, but by some civilization tens of millions of years before. Alex and his team, now joined by computer whiz Megan, scientist Mark, and cybernetic partner Emily discover the very fabric of the universe is not what it seems.
During this compelling adventure, they explore profound scientific concepts, Tachyon tunneling, capable of unlocking new forms of travel across time and space. Plasma, the fourth state of matter, may not be just the fuel of stars but the very substrate of the universe. The book paints an innovative cosmic perspective where the universe is a vast plasma sea, while Earth and other planets are rare islands of fragile organic life adrift on its currents.
Gorton draws from decades of scientific expertise and visionary entrepreneurship. As a physicist and engineer, he has helped pioneer revolutions in telecommunications, internet, music, video and telemedicine. His stories are fueled by the same curiosity and creativity that have built companies from scratch and have helped to shape modern industries.
This novel is both a gripping space adventure and a bold exploration of ideas that challenge the reader’s understanding of reality itself. For fans of Asimov, Tolkien, Weir and Heinlein, all authors who inspired Gorton in his youth, Tachyon Tunnel 2 is both homage and evolution to the next level. This book is a tale of human ingenuity, resilience, and the timeless quest to reach the unreachable stars.
In Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire , Alex Durant and his team return to Earth after mastering an astonishing technology that allows travel across both space and time. What they uncover upon their return, however, is a universe ruled by the fearsome Daklin Empire, an authoritarian force that has dominated the galaxy for millions of years.
As Alex and his lifetime love, Paula, along with their son Zander race to safeguard Earth, they must grapple with chilling that the galaxy’s ancient tachyon tunnel network was not created by the Daklin, but by some civilization tens of millions of years before. Alex and his team, now joined by computer whiz Megan, scientist Mark, and cybernetic partner Emily discover the very fabric of the universe is not what it seems.
During this compelling adventure, they explore profound scientific concepts, Tachyon tunneling, capable of unlocking new forms of travel across time and space. Plasma, the fourth state of matter, may not be just the fuel of stars but the very substrate of the universe. The book paints an innovative cosmic perspective where the universe is a vast plasma sea, while Earth and other planets are rare islands of fragile organic life adrift on its currents.
Gorton draws from decades of scientific expertise and visionary entrepreneurship. As a physicist and engineer, he has helped pioneer revolutions in telecommunications, internet, music, video and telemedicine. His stories are fueled by the same curiosity and creativity that have built companies from scratch and have helped to shape modern industries.
This novel is both a gripping space adventure and a bold exploration of ideas that challenge the reader’s understanding of reality itself. For fans of Asimov, Tolkien, Weir and Heinlein, all authors who inspired Gorton in his youth, Tachyon Tunnel 2 is both homage and evolution to the next level. This book is a tale of human ingenuity, resilience, and the timeless quest to reach the unreachable stars.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2025
17 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Michael Gorton
19 books33 followersAbout the author
Michael Gorton has written books that entertain, educate, and inspire. The Tachyon Tunnel series combines time travel, romance, adventure, and great mysteries of science into a novel that takes fiction to an all-new level!
Michael grew up as an Air Force brat in a lower middle-class family. Because of great influence from his parents and four siblings, Michael reached for the stars. With virtually no money in his pocket, he went off to college and earned degrees in Physics, Engineering and Law - all while working full time. After working 11 years as an engineer in corporate America, he is now a serial entrepreneur who has founded 16 companies. Amongst those are notables: Internet Global, Palo Duro Records and TelaDoc, now the world’s largest telemedicine company. Michael has been a prolific writer, authoring technical articles on a wide range of topics including Internet, power systems, remote metering and disconnect, solar, electric vehicles, healthcare, telemedicine, astronomy, physics and music.
Broken Handoff was Michael's first business book. It was the amalgamation of three decades as an entrepreneur developing companies. The two authors bring a wealth of new perspectives that addresses one of the biggest problems in funding and M&A events. Broken Handoff was named the #1 M&A book in 2019 by Book Authority and has been in the Top 10 on Amazon's chart.
Forefathers & Founding Fathers was Michael’s 5th novel, earned several awards, and reached the #1 slot in Historic Fiction on Amazon's chart. The first four: USSA, Lex Talionis, Tachyon Tunnel, and Born Again American were all written for fun with the intent of giving copies to a small group of friends and family. That was in fact the goal with Forefathers, but while researching the topic, Gorton realized this was an important and unknown story that needed to be heard. Forefathers has received positive reviews from some of the world's best-known authors, including best-selling author Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Jim Stovall (The Ultimate Gift).
Michael is a runner, martial artist and mountain climber. He and his family are currently climbing the highest points of elevation in the fifty states. They have 42 done.
Michael is an 11th generation descendant of Samuel Gorton. His lineage is: Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Benjamin, Amos, Oliver, Guy, Dayton, DeForest, Everett (dad).
Michael Gorton has written books that entertain, educate, and inspire. The Tachyon Tunnel series combines time travel, romance, adventure, and great mysteries of science into a novel that takes fiction to an all-new level!
Michael grew up as an Air Force brat in a lower middle-class family. Because of great influence from his parents and four siblings, Michael reached for the stars. With virtually no money in his pocket, he went off to college and earned degrees in Physics, Engineering and Law - all while working full time. After working 11 years as an engineer in corporate America, he is now a serial entrepreneur who has founded 16 companies. Amongst those are notables: Internet Global, Palo Duro Records and TelaDoc, now the world’s largest telemedicine company. Michael has been a prolific writer, authoring technical articles on a wide range of topics including Internet, power systems, remote metering and disconnect, solar, electric vehicles, healthcare, telemedicine, astronomy, physics and music.
Broken Handoff was Michael's first business book. It was the amalgamation of three decades as an entrepreneur developing companies. The two authors bring a wealth of new perspectives that addresses one of the biggest problems in funding and M&A events. Broken Handoff was named the #1 M&A book in 2019 by Book Authority and has been in the Top 10 on Amazon's chart.
Forefathers & Founding Fathers was Michael’s 5th novel, earned several awards, and reached the #1 slot in Historic Fiction on Amazon's chart. The first four: USSA, Lex Talionis, Tachyon Tunnel, and Born Again American were all written for fun with the intent of giving copies to a small group of friends and family. That was in fact the goal with Forefathers, but while researching the topic, Gorton realized this was an important and unknown story that needed to be heard. Forefathers has received positive reviews from some of the world's best-known authors, including best-selling author Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Jim Stovall (The Ultimate Gift).
Michael is a runner, martial artist and mountain climber. He and his family are currently climbing the highest points of elevation in the fifty states. They have 42 done.
Michael is an 11th generation descendant of Samuel Gorton. His lineage is: Samuel, Samuel, Samuel, Benjamin, Amos, Oliver, Guy, Dayton, DeForest, Everett (dad).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 29, 2025
Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire is a sequel to Michael Gorton's first book, Tachyon Tunnel, that not only elevates science fiction adventure to new heights but also touches the reader's heart with emotional depth. This novel, a story of time travel, humanity's destiny, and personal sacrifice, will keep you hooked from the first page to the last.
The story begins with Paula Campbell returning to Earth, standing in the New Mexico desert, where her car is about to collide with a tanker truck just a few miles away—the very collision that would kill her. Through tachyon tunneling, a time-travel technology, she survives the accident. The scene is so vivid and tense that you feel yourself standing with Paula in that desert night, where the stars and the flames of the explosion combine to dramatize the beginning of the story. Paula's fall in the desert, her discovery by John Prinz, and John's subsequent death in another car accident immediately send the story on an emotional rollercoaster. Paula's memory loss deepens the mystery as she tries to understand who she is and what her true path is.
Meanwhile, Alex Durant and his team—including Alexander Bell, Lyra, and the AI Emily—are busy traveling through time and space. They return to the planet EtaKatz, where Paula and Alex's ancestors founded a new civilization. The descriptions of EtaKatz are so vivid that you can feel the low gravity, blue skies, and strange familiarity. Lyra's emotional attachment to her birthplace and Paula's mysterious connection to the planet give the story a philosophical dimension, raising questions about how much of our memories and identities are our own versus those of our ancestors.
Michael Gorton's writing style is the novel's greatest strength. He explains complex scientific concepts like tachyon tunneling and time travel so simply that even a general reader can easily understand them. From the calm yet mysterious atmosphere of the desert to the vibrant world of EtaKatz, his descriptions are so vivid that you feel present in every scene. Quotes at the beginning of each chapter—such as John Lennon’s “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be” or Dr. Seuss’s “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”—deepen the story’s themes. Though the complex mix of timelines can be confusing at times, the author manages to untangle everything by the end.
Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire is a book that blends intense science fiction adventure with deep human emotions. It is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and think. If you are a fan of stories like Interstellar or The Time Traveler’s Wife, this book will be a remarkable experience. Read it after the first book, Tachyon Tunnel, to enjoy this complex and beautiful story fully. This novel is not only for science fiction enthusiasts but for anyone seeking a tale that touches both the heart and the mind.
The story begins with Paula Campbell returning to Earth, standing in the New Mexico desert, where her car is about to collide with a tanker truck just a few miles away—the very collision that would kill her. Through tachyon tunneling, a time-travel technology, she survives the accident. The scene is so vivid and tense that you feel yourself standing with Paula in that desert night, where the stars and the flames of the explosion combine to dramatize the beginning of the story. Paula's fall in the desert, her discovery by John Prinz, and John's subsequent death in another car accident immediately send the story on an emotional rollercoaster. Paula's memory loss deepens the mystery as she tries to understand who she is and what her true path is.
Meanwhile, Alex Durant and his team—including Alexander Bell, Lyra, and the AI Emily—are busy traveling through time and space. They return to the planet EtaKatz, where Paula and Alex's ancestors founded a new civilization. The descriptions of EtaKatz are so vivid that you can feel the low gravity, blue skies, and strange familiarity. Lyra's emotional attachment to her birthplace and Paula's mysterious connection to the planet give the story a philosophical dimension, raising questions about how much of our memories and identities are our own versus those of our ancestors.
Michael Gorton's writing style is the novel's greatest strength. He explains complex scientific concepts like tachyon tunneling and time travel so simply that even a general reader can easily understand them. From the calm yet mysterious atmosphere of the desert to the vibrant world of EtaKatz, his descriptions are so vivid that you feel present in every scene. Quotes at the beginning of each chapter—such as John Lennon’s “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be” or Dr. Seuss’s “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”—deepen the story’s themes. Though the complex mix of timelines can be confusing at times, the author manages to untangle everything by the end.
Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire is a book that blends intense science fiction adventure with deep human emotions. It is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and think. If you are a fan of stories like Interstellar or The Time Traveler’s Wife, this book will be a remarkable experience. Read it after the first book, Tachyon Tunnel, to enjoy this complex and beautiful story fully. This novel is not only for science fiction enthusiasts but for anyone seeking a tale that touches both the heart and the mind.
March 24, 2025
Michael Gorton’s Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire picks up right where its predecessor left off—interstellar travelers Alex Durant and Paula Campbell have returned to Earth after a mind-bending adventure through time and space. But home is anything but normal. Between Paula’s memory loss, a tragic second car crash, and a rapidly unraveling timeline, the book blends quantum physics with emotional stakes, then rockets forward into a high-tech corporate thriller. All of it rests on a central question: can you outmaneuver fate, or does it always find you?
This book surprised me in the best way. I expected a sci-fi sequel with more spaceships and techy jargon, but what I got was a personal and often exhilarating look at relationships, ambition, and betrayal. The emotional core hit me hardest early on, with Paula waking up in a hospital after her second crash, her memories scrambled and her heart fractured. The way she searches for clarity while Alex stands by, trying not to break the illusion, was actually heartbreaking. There's a line when Alex watches Paula light up while solving equations on a whiteboard, and all he can think is, "She was chaos, beauty, and brilliance..." That line stuck with me.
Then there’s the whole startup saga with Zander and his teleportation company, T-Portal Co. At first, I was grinning ear to ear. A sci-fi story about turning teleportation into a consumer business? Brilliant. But things go dark fast. Maillew, the smooth-talking board member who teaches Zander about capitalism, turns out to be a snake. If you’ve ever built something and had it ripped from your hands, this section will sting.
Still, what really makes this book shine is the weird and beautiful connection between Paula and Alex. Her dreams of other lives, other galaxies, and the humming of a ship called Tranquility—and how those dreams slowly turn into memories—was so well done. The whole "reverse aging through frequency" subplot was wild, and I honestly don't care how plausible it is. It made me want to believe in something impossible. When Paula whispers to Alex about their shared past—memories she shouldn't have—it feels intimate and magical. It’s not just science fiction; it’s about finding each other through all the noise of time, memory, and loss.
Tachyon Tunnel 2 is not just for science fiction fans. Yes, there's time travel, AI, tachyon particles, and interstellar tech, but it's also got heart. If you enjoy stories about second chances, brilliant women solving cosmic mysteries, or just want a good ol’ tale of love, loss, and betrayal wrapped in quantum physics—this book is for you. If you liked The Martian or Project Hail Mary, but wish they had a bit more soul and less sarcasm, Gorton’s got you covered.
This book surprised me in the best way. I expected a sci-fi sequel with more spaceships and techy jargon, but what I got was a personal and often exhilarating look at relationships, ambition, and betrayal. The emotional core hit me hardest early on, with Paula waking up in a hospital after her second crash, her memories scrambled and her heart fractured. The way she searches for clarity while Alex stands by, trying not to break the illusion, was actually heartbreaking. There's a line when Alex watches Paula light up while solving equations on a whiteboard, and all he can think is, "She was chaos, beauty, and brilliance..." That line stuck with me.
Then there’s the whole startup saga with Zander and his teleportation company, T-Portal Co. At first, I was grinning ear to ear. A sci-fi story about turning teleportation into a consumer business? Brilliant. But things go dark fast. Maillew, the smooth-talking board member who teaches Zander about capitalism, turns out to be a snake. If you’ve ever built something and had it ripped from your hands, this section will sting.
Still, what really makes this book shine is the weird and beautiful connection between Paula and Alex. Her dreams of other lives, other galaxies, and the humming of a ship called Tranquility—and how those dreams slowly turn into memories—was so well done. The whole "reverse aging through frequency" subplot was wild, and I honestly don't care how plausible it is. It made me want to believe in something impossible. When Paula whispers to Alex about their shared past—memories she shouldn't have—it feels intimate and magical. It’s not just science fiction; it’s about finding each other through all the noise of time, memory, and loss.
Tachyon Tunnel 2 is not just for science fiction fans. Yes, there's time travel, AI, tachyon particles, and interstellar tech, but it's also got heart. If you enjoy stories about second chances, brilliant women solving cosmic mysteries, or just want a good ol’ tale of love, loss, and betrayal wrapped in quantum physics—this book is for you. If you liked The Martian or Project Hail Mary, but wish they had a bit more soul and less sarcasm, Gorton’s got you covered.
May 12, 2025
There is a fresh start in this second book of the series, and it goes in a new direction. New characters are introduced, as well as a new enemy, the Daklin, who will wipe out any civilization that opposes their total domination. But they haven’t found Earth yet. The race to stop the Daklin from finding Earth has Alex seeking out a reclusive group who may be able to help them.
In the first book, the rules of time travel were not necessarily made clear. I would say new rules have been introduced by the author in this book, as previous mistakes are discussed and not repeated. The new characters are strong and compelling, and the evil Daklin Empire lurks as a frightening spectre to avoid. The science of time travel provided is intriguing, and the author manages to make technical discussions entertaining. The book takes a dip into the paranormal as well as science fiction, but I hope it stays science-forward as the series progresses. There is some “telling” instead of “showing” early in this book, but I found it worked and helped the reader adjust to the new direction this series is heading.
The relationship between Alex and Paula is the deepest and most meaningful in the series, and I would like to see the series delve deeper into some of the other relationships as well.
The attempts to evade and stop the Daklin kept me glued to the story, and the addition of an evil empire adds new layers to the novel. Overall, Tachyon Tunnel 2 comes in strong. Having learned lessons from the events of the past, it charges forward in a new and interesting way.
Although I received a print copy from the author, I also purchased the ebook on Amazon. It is only 99 cents on Amazon!
In the first book, the rules of time travel were not necessarily made clear. I would say new rules have been introduced by the author in this book, as previous mistakes are discussed and not repeated. The new characters are strong and compelling, and the evil Daklin Empire lurks as a frightening spectre to avoid. The science of time travel provided is intriguing, and the author manages to make technical discussions entertaining. The book takes a dip into the paranormal as well as science fiction, but I hope it stays science-forward as the series progresses. There is some “telling” instead of “showing” early in this book, but I found it worked and helped the reader adjust to the new direction this series is heading.
The relationship between Alex and Paula is the deepest and most meaningful in the series, and I would like to see the series delve deeper into some of the other relationships as well.
The attempts to evade and stop the Daklin kept me glued to the story, and the addition of an evil empire adds new layers to the novel. Overall, Tachyon Tunnel 2 comes in strong. Having learned lessons from the events of the past, it charges forward in a new and interesting way.
Although I received a print copy from the author, I also purchased the ebook on Amazon. It is only 99 cents on Amazon!
August 3, 2025
Michael Gorton takes us on another high-speed, mind-expanding ride through science, philosophy, and speculative future tech in Tachyon Tunnel 2. As someone who enjoys science fiction grounded in real-world theory, I found the second installment even more gripping than the first.
The sequel doesn't just continue the story—it deepens it. The science feels thrilling yet plausible, with quantum mechanics, time travel, and parallel universes interwoven in a way that challenges your brain and your sense of morality. What I appreciated most is how the book never loses sight of its characters amid all the techno-wonder. Their personal stakes and growth kept the story emotionally anchored.
Gorton’s narrative voice balances complexity with clarity. While some sections lean heavily into theory, they’re counterbalanced by fast-paced action and smart dialogue. It’s evident the author is passionate about merging scientific thought with fiction.
If you’re someone who enjoys sci-fi that dares to think big—think Michael Crichton meets Interstellar—this series continues to deliver.
Recommended for: fans of hard sci-fi, science enthusiasts, and readers looking for intellectually engaging adventures.
The sequel doesn't just continue the story—it deepens it. The science feels thrilling yet plausible, with quantum mechanics, time travel, and parallel universes interwoven in a way that challenges your brain and your sense of morality. What I appreciated most is how the book never loses sight of its characters amid all the techno-wonder. Their personal stakes and growth kept the story emotionally anchored.
Gorton’s narrative voice balances complexity with clarity. While some sections lean heavily into theory, they’re counterbalanced by fast-paced action and smart dialogue. It’s evident the author is passionate about merging scientific thought with fiction.
If you’re someone who enjoys sci-fi that dares to think big—think Michael Crichton meets Interstellar—this series continues to deliver.
Recommended for: fans of hard sci-fi, science enthusiasts, and readers looking for intellectually engaging adventures.
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July 12, 2025I am looking forward to book 3. The ending was a big setup for the next adventure. Worth reading.
Paula is like Kenny on South Park. Sh ed dies and comes back up like nothing happened. The plot was interesting. It devoted a lot of time with technology and how things work, and less time with action or plot twists. The relationships are strong and there is really not a bad person in the group. It is perfect for a peaceful reading experience.
There was very little with the Daklin and their future defeat but I guess that will possibly come in book 3.
Paula is like Kenny on South Park. Sh ed dies and comes back up like nothing happened. The plot was interesting. It devoted a lot of time with technology and how things work, and less time with action or plot twists. The relationships are strong and there is really not a bad person in the group. It is perfect for a peaceful reading experience.
There was very little with the Daklin and their future defeat but I guess that will possibly come in book 3.
June 4, 2025
What a great read. The character development is fabulous and the storyline thrilling. Keeps you turning the pages eager for the next part of the adventure. I can’t wait for TT3. Perfect for a summer adventure and leaves you wanting more!
May 3, 2025
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
Book 2, it might help to read book 1. However, there is a brief recap at the beginning and the story can be appreciated as a standalone. This book is dialogue-driven and provides a perspective from all characters, focusing on their relationships (platonic and romantic).
I received a free review copy. Thank you to OnlineBookClub and author.
I received a free review copy. Thank you to OnlineBookClub and author.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews