Retribution

Sector 64 #2

by Dean M. Cole, R.C. Bray (Narrator)

Sequel to Ambush—award-winning apocalyptic thriller

Can today's militaries board and control the emptied alien armada that hangs over our heads?

After the massive battle to save today's Earth went horribly wrong, leaving a huge fleet of ghost ships hanging over the planet, humanity is left to fight for itself. Can we use our genetic link to the fleet's fallen commanders to rein in the ships before they start crashing down onto an already battered world? And when dark galactic forces once again amass in our skies, can humanity make a stand?

It’s 2019. Jake and Sandy saved the world…twice!

But that was yesterday.

Independence Day meets The X-Files when Air Force fighter pilots Jake Giard and Sandra Fitzpatrick join a decades-old secret project to integrate today's Earth into a galactic government. But when a galactic civil war spills onto our shores, plunging the planet into an otherworldly post-apocalyptic hell, can Jake and Sandy save humanity from extinction?

Following the apocalyptic events of Ambush, Jake must board and somehow control the advanced alien fleet of huge ships before they start falling into the Atlantic.

Yesterday, Captain Sandra Fitzpatrick learned she’s pregnant. Then she helped save the world. Now, she must keep her condition a secret (even from Jake, the father to be). The remnants of humanity need Sandy and her cobbled together band of warriors to somehow master the alien technology.

If Jake and Sandy prevail, and if Earth’s ravaged militaries can unite, can they adapt now outdated tactics to the limitless battlefield of space?Find out. Start Retribution today!

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction, Space, Adventure

Audible Audio

Published February 22, 2023

About the author

Dean M. Cole is a Texas-based author, former combat helicopter pilot, and current airline pilot. A reclusive caffeine junkie, he writes fast-paced sci-fi adventures loaded with action and techno-thrills. His bestselling Dimension Space series has earned thousands of five-star reviews—and might one day trigger a robot uprising if his characters ever gain sentience.

D.M. Cole is his thriller-writing alter ego, launching a new tropical thriller series starting with Silent Waters—a fast-paced ride featuring seaplanes, remote islands, and trouble that wants you dead. No aliens this time. Just humans.

Join the Facebook group Dimension Space Series by Dean M Cole for updates and discussion.

Get a free novella and audiobook when you join the Copilot Club at the DeanMCole site.

Reviews

[David P. Duffy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inept Writing Strangles Promising SciFi Storyline

Really, really hoped Book Two, Retribution: Sector 64 would improve from Book One, as I thought the storyline showed promise and had some merit. Sadly, I was disappointed, as the author lacks both writing skills and talent. The ineptness of authorship forced me to skip and skim much of the book to complete it. Won't bore you with a listing of the book's deficiencies, as it would be too long. Suffice it to say author should take a writing course and I never have despised the "good guy" characters in this book, as such I do. Cannot in good conscience recommend this book or eBook author.

[Liquid Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are here because you read Sector 64: Ambush, then you know a lengthy, action-packed installment is waiting to be consumed. Retribution hits the ground with destruction; ends with destruction, with destruction in-between. So yes, it is a heartwarming tale full of rainbows and kittens.

Turn back if you are interested in this book, and start from the beginning.

Spoilers***Very quick recap Book 1***Spoilers

USAF pilots encounter an alien ship, but they are the good guys; distant relatives, actually. They are here to assist an elite human force with protecting Earth. Yes, some have known that we weren't alone for quite awhile. Go figure! Moving on...bad aliens try to destroy Earth, but they don't succeed. Character introductions, development, mass destruction, etc., fill in the pages.

Retribution moves faster than Ambush, with better editing, too. The usual suspects are back and force-fed a vast amount (or even a myriad) of information in order to defend themselves against the second wave, and main force hell-bent on complete annihilation of the Argonians (i.e. us/our distant family).

This series moves into the Space Opera world, officially, as we get the Navy up beyond the atmosphere, with a new toy, large arsenal, and many ships. Let the showdown begin.

My nitpickery:

Cole used sardonic only six times this round vs. twelve times in book one. The phrase "Jesus Wept" showed up four times in a search, but felt like more. Lastly, myriad shows up six times, and I'm not 100% sure, but it feels like it is used incorrectly each time. Perhaps it is stylistic, but I'm used to seeing myriad with "a/the" and "of". Conversationally, it made me pause each time the word came up.

That's it! And perhaps that illustrates just how much I was invested into the read and really did enjoy the installment.

4.7/5 Stars

Read 1.19.16; author emailed advance copy for review.

[Warren W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a ride! You are in for a great adventure!

I have totally been absorbed by this series. One of the best first-contact books I have ever read. I was sad to see it end, but it went out with a bang! I loved the story, the characters, and the excitement. I hope you find this treasure...

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good follow up to the Independence Day movie style book, much of the same a before but i enjoyed that and space battles for planet Earth keep me amused.

[Andrew J Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun series, kept you on your toes. I would consider it a guilty pleasure.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging, emotional, funny, hopeful, inspiring,
reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0 ⭐

I enjoyed this story. It wasn't as satisfying as the Dimensional Space ending, but it was still good.

The bad guys were a little one note, in my opinion. They had a really dangerous weapon, but seemed to be incompetent (not to say that dictatorial leaders aren't, but this was a little to mustache twirling.

Loved the main protagoinists, Jake, Sandra and Richarch. All very good at their jobs as soldiers for the earth and fighter pilots. They became the best of humanity. Doesn't mean they were perfect (far from it), but when it got tough...they pushed through...to make it right.

We need to remember Rimulkin, the Argonian. I didn't like him, at first (you are not supposed to), but by the end...he was amazing.

I hope that the author has ANOTHER story in Sector 64...for I believe a more compitent bad guy...is just around the corner (hopefully).

Exploring...comes with challenges. Bring on the next adventure.

[Joshua · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a disappointment because it simply drags on. I would say 90% of the book is focused on a single battle that should not have taken anywhere near that long to describe. And for the most part the author seems to forget a key detail of their own story. Spoilers to follow on:

So One key technology is that the Argonians have a digital self that runs parallel to their biological self. The fleet that was wiped out on Earth lost all their biological bodies. And once the second Argonian ship shows up they act as if it is a great loss that they will not recover from. And the humans who also know this act the same way. The Argonians can and WILL just make new bodies and that's it, no great loss.

I had a lot of hopes for this series, to perhaps replace the exforce series hole in my heart. So far it does not seem like it will, I am going to give it another chance with the next books, (if the author writes them.) but I have low expectations. However, I do hope they become better.

[Marcin W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expeditionary force without Skippy.
Ember war without Mark Ibara.
Odyssey One without the 'Gaia promise of something deeper' (which that series *failed* on too).

This series is only a bit better than OK... so feel i needed to justify my 2* rating. It was done so much better by Expeditionary Force & Ember War & im trying to be judicious with my likes given social platform's (IMO rightly justified) emphasis on likes/reviews. AKA im not going to protect the content creator from the algorithm.

I would like to see more from the author as some pieces were nice here:
Grounding scify with some plausible past. Initial buildup id give 4*.
tech shown/explained in novel way.

[Scott S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this duology and the short story prequel.

Good writing, an interesting story, likable heroes and hate worthy villains. Hard to go wrong with all that and a good narrator. I have bumped some of Cole's other books higher on my to-read list.

R.C. Bray's narration was perfect as usual.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, excellent end to this relatively short series! A lot happens here - huge space battles and situations that are just wild. The bad guys are really bad (think Klingons) and the good guys win the day, but not without some sacrifices. The epilogue is so fitting. I'm so glad I read this series, actually stayed up all night to finish it. Worth it!
And RC Bray is always good on audio.

[clinton Littlefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Excellent action. Kept me up until terrible AM hours. Would have given 5 stars, but the great action and story was interrupted by extremely detailed personal side stories which I speed read. In spite of this I give it 4.5 stars.

[Gary Weinman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book even though I only gave it 3 stars. There were too many things that just didn't make sense to me. I don't know if it was the author or the editor (or the lack of one) that caused me this frustration. I might regret it, but I am going to go back and read the prequel.

[Kim]

I tried so hard, rc bray was awesome as always but I just couldn't get into the story, I gave until I had 2 hours left before I realized I had no idea who and what is going on, I quit and am moving on to another series.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

As military sci-fi goes, it’s pretty good. I’ve read the Hell Divers series and am currently in Expeditionary Force, which are both better. However, I’d still rate this book/series (Sector 64) as a solid 3.8.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as the last one

[Teresa Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Series!

Loved the series! Tons of action and adventure. Hope this book 3 does not end the series though. Keep them coming.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series is pretty good.

[Richard Prendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written fun book. The only problem I see with this book and it’s predecessor is that there wasn’t any more.

If you like military sci-fi you will like this book.

[James McCallister]

Excellent! No more needs to be said. The descriptions of the situations are spot on. Absolutely worth the time

[Mille Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.C. Bray rules!
And so does Dean M. Cole! However, the story was a bit too military-combat-style for me. I way prefered Dimention Space.

[Todd Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent conclusion to a great series! At the end, the author mentions possibly doing more in this universe. I truly hope he does! Great narration by R.C. Bray!

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very abrupt ending.

Good series wish it was longer, the ending feels abrupt. As if there should have been a follow up book.

[shawn murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful duology.

[Theresa Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

Thank you for such a great exciting book the series was great RC Bray was great he is a wonderful narrator you Dean M Cole is a great author

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable.

[Harold Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I'm gonna say is "If you love science fiction" you need to read this series. Go back and read the first two before you read this one.

[AudioBookReviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My original Retribution: Sector 64 audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Retribution picks up almost immediately after Ambush. Wherein two sets of alien races make themselves know to humans. One is reptilian lizard-like and the other turns out to be our ancestors. They enemy has decimated our planet and is not done yet.

While Ambush was all about the apocalyptic alien invasion and the terror spreading across the planet. Retribution was about the retaliation for the apocalyptic invasion. The entire battle taking place, roughly, in Earth’s orbit. Even though this seems like really tight quarters for an epic space battle. Cole was able to stick with the awesome choreography of the space combat, integrating in light seconds and minutes, I love that. Making it seem so realistic without going overboard with technology. The characters seemed less dynamic than in the first book as well. Maybe that is because Cole figured we would simply remember the struggles they went through to become who they are now.

Something that hit me about half way through was how similar this second book was to the first. Both books having the same thing at stake, the entire human race. Only if you think of the Argonian’s as humans. Then there is the very eerily similar endings, I won’t go in to details because it would be a spoiler.

I do not know if this was just the way the story was written or if it goes to the narration. But, other than the chapter brakes, there didn’t seem to be anything other than a very slight pause between sections where the storyline would switch up. Making it difficult to know exactly what is happening at every moment. Seemed like each time I was up to speed with who I was with, it would switch.

All in all Retribution was an entertaining interstellar science fiction war story. With enough technology to keep the science lovers happy and plenty of other things to keep the fiction lovers happy. If you listened to the first book already, good for you, you are probably going to get this book anyway. While the second book wraps up the story well with no cliffhanger ending, it is not nearly as epic. Mainly because the energy that was in the first, would have been nearly impossible to carry over to the second.

All that being said I would recommend this series to lovers of science fiction or military fiction fans as it does have a lot to offer as an entire series. It has everything that one could wish for from action and tension, a little romance, characters that you will love to hate, and an ending that bring closure.

The shining star of Michael Ortego’s performance was again the his portrayal of the lizard people. Reaching way down inside to produce voices that sounded as alien as they did primal. Doing this and also keeping it understandable. However, many of his other voices were so similar I found it difficult at times to know who was talking or if it was just the story going bye. Ortego was able to change the pacing as needed for the action scenes that helps so much in bringing the heart rate up. The production was clean and smooth with no discernible hiccups or errors.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

[Mike Moody]

The second book of the Sector 64 series starts immediately where the first left off. There is some exposition to bring the reader up to speed, but you really have to have read the first book to get a handle on what is happening. Most of the main characters return for the sequel and a few new ones are introduced. The overall plot did not seem as interesting as in the book one, mainly because the stakes were basically the same and in many ways it was a rehash but without the more interesting parts. The best new character was the cranky Argonian who joins the humans, but he seems to never rise above his single, sarcastic, attitude and I eventually tired of him. As in the first book, the space battles are fun to read and are what give the book a solid three stars, but overall it feels like a disappointment considering how much I enjoyed the first novel.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I would like to thank Remulkin Thramorus without whom humankind might have ceased to exist. Now to the story: Each side seemed to be fighting for redemption because everybody lost somebody somewhere along the line. With that in mind, what do you say? “You shot one of mine, so I will shoot three of yours.” Or, do you say, “No more! Let’s work together.” To get to the second way of thinking, we must go through a lot of intricate maneuvering (Physics and calculus again!!!). I thoroughly enjoyed the story and did try to communicate with the UGF to warn them at times. According to Dean M. Cole, this is the last book in this series. But…

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borders on 4-stars, but Not Quite

OK, the good news is this was mostly SciFi, with lots of military action thrown in.
Second, this 2nd book was much better than the 1st. Maybe it’s because the main characters didn’t need their background history written in excruciating detail.
For the bad news, the incompetence of the ‘good’ guys and ‘bad’ guys is kind of hard to believe, especially with the many lost opportunities both sides were presented, but didn’t take advantage of.
And, to top it off, The Author says a new trilogy is to follow this book — to which I saw, “No! Enough is Enough!”