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First Colony #18
Forsaken Outpost
Every Discovery Comes with a Price…
Stranded thousands of light-years from home after a hyperspace experiment goes catastrophically wrong, General Connor Gates faces a brutal their ship is failing, supplies are dwindling, and home is an impossible distance away.
Their only hope lies with a manipulative alien prisoner who offers a dangerous bargain. Freedom in exchange for guidance to an ancient outpost with technology that could save them all... or doom the galaxy if weaponized.
Every step deeper into uncharted space reveals new perils. The massive alien station they discover—a relic adrift in the void—hints at a universe far grander and more treacherous than humanity ever imagined.
Meanwhile, across the stars, a dormant threat awakens—silently calls to those who can hear it. The Vemus nearly exterminated humanity once. Their return could mean the end of everything.
As Connor races to unlock the station's secrets before time runs out, he realizes the true danger may not be the vast emptiness of space, but what followed them into it. Some enemies are too dangerous to leave behind, even five thousand light-years from home.
In this gripping space epic, betrayal is almost certain, but survival demands risk. Ancient technologies beckon with salvation and ruin in equal measure.
Can humanity's scattered defenders outsmart beings who think in centuries rather than moments?
Forsaken Outpost is the 18th book in the bestselling military science fiction series, First Colony. Read the 18th book in this sprawling space opera today!
Science Fiction for those who long to explore!
Stranded thousands of light-years from home after a hyperspace experiment goes catastrophically wrong, General Connor Gates faces a brutal their ship is failing, supplies are dwindling, and home is an impossible distance away.
Their only hope lies with a manipulative alien prisoner who offers a dangerous bargain. Freedom in exchange for guidance to an ancient outpost with technology that could save them all... or doom the galaxy if weaponized.
Every step deeper into uncharted space reveals new perils. The massive alien station they discover—a relic adrift in the void—hints at a universe far grander and more treacherous than humanity ever imagined.
Meanwhile, across the stars, a dormant threat awakens—silently calls to those who can hear it. The Vemus nearly exterminated humanity once. Their return could mean the end of everything.
As Connor races to unlock the station's secrets before time runs out, he realizes the true danger may not be the vast emptiness of space, but what followed them into it. Some enemies are too dangerous to leave behind, even five thousand light-years from home.
In this gripping space epic, betrayal is almost certain, but survival demands risk. Ancient technologies beckon with salvation and ruin in equal measure.
Can humanity's scattered defenders outsmart beings who think in centuries rather than moments?
Forsaken Outpost is the 18th book in the bestselling military science fiction series, First Colony. Read the 18th book in this sprawling space opera today!
Science Fiction for those who long to explore!
- GenresScience Fiction
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
152 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Ken Lozito
61 books467 followersKen Lozito is the best-selling author of multiple science fiction series, including First Colony, Ascension, & Federation Chronicles. He writes about first contact, colonization, exploration, heroic tales, redemption stories, and old-fashion adventure stories with rich and interesting characters. He’s had over a million books sold and loves the fact he’s been able to reach so many amazing readers with his stories. Readers have lost precious hours of sleep while they read just one more page.
Ken worked in IT Security for almost twenty years before becoming a full-time author. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, playing with the dog, and binge-watching shows.
You can find out more about Ken and upcoming books on his website at http://kenlozito.com
Ken worked in IT Security for almost twenty years before becoming a full-time author. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, playing with the dog, and binge-watching shows.
You can find out more about Ken and upcoming books on his website at http://kenlozito.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 21, 2025
Book 18 does not disappoint
I enjoy this series. The characters grow while staying true to their core and there is always a new adventure. There have been a few books in the series that I did not like as well, but number 18 was a hit for me.
I enjoy this series. The characters grow while staying true to their core and there is always a new adventure. There have been a few books in the series that I did not like as well, but number 18 was a hit for me.
May 29, 2025
The saga of General Connor Gates and now his Son Major Ethan Gates continues and may go on forever! That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but General Gates really needs to take a long break and try to stay home for a while! But, it seems like he’s always in the middle of everything and that’s how it’s going right now. A ship, the CDF *Pathfinder*, that had been under repair at a research station near New Earth. They were working on the I-Drive which was very experimental to begin with when it suddenly malfunctioned and blew the ship and everyone in it five-thousand light years away from New Earth. Now they were trying to get back but there were complications.
While trying to fix the I-Drive they met the Aczar, a race of aliens that also knew about the Phantoms. Now the Phantoms are another mysterious race of aliens that so far have only conversed with Connor Gates. Why is unknown, but he’s the only one they desired to talk to and they did that very infrequently. Yet, the Aczar civilization had captured a Phantom and were using him to further their civilization. Salpheth was the captured Phantom and he was interesting to Connor Gates since his kind had to Connor that their involvement with finding the Vemus wasn’t going to be very successful. In fact, the Phantoms had told Connor that humans needed to stop trying to find the source of the Vemus because humanity wasn’t strong enough to defeat the Vemus once they found them. Connor knew that wasn’t exactly true since they had encountered the Vemus on Earth and had in fact destroyed the Alpha that had infected the planet. So, Connor was at least hoping that Salpheth would help these humans to find their way back home. Did he have any advanced knowledge about the I-Drive that could get them back home. And if he did, would he share that knowledge.
Meanwhile, Major Ethan Gates, Connor’s Son, was out exploring the galaxy in his first command ship, the *Ascendant*. Aboard the*Ascendant* were a mix of military and civilians, Most of the civilian were scientists keen on finding any leads that might reveal the home system of the Vemus. One of the civilian scientists was Cynergy, Ethan’s wife. Both Ethan and Cynergy were hybrids, a combination of human and Vemus. No one was sure exactly what that meant, but so far, these hybrids were able to manage and control their Vemus side that actually helped them live. When Ethan allowed his Vemus side to arise, he became almost super-human and had used this ability to get out of some pretty tight spots early in his career. But, there was a downside to being a hybrid. It seems that they could be affected by Vemus Alphas if they came near one. So far, they hadn’t found any evidence of the Vemus on this mission, but that was about to change.
So we have to story-lines going on involving Connor Gates and one involving Ethan Gates. While Connor has had his share of troubles over his seeming long career and life span and had the experience to work his way through those setbacks, Ethan wasn’t as nearly experienced. Still, Connor Gates and his small contingent of humans were thrown five-thousand light years away from home with no known way to get back. They were lucky the I-Drive hadn’t simply exploded, but after its recent event, it was now draining power at an alarming rate. There was no way this I-Drive had enough power to get them home and to make things worse, they had no clue as to where they were!
Ethan’s problems didn’t really start until his ship found the remnants of a huge battle between an unknown alien fleet and what seemed to have been a Vemus Alpha starship. He wanted to be very cautious about approaching anything having to do with the Vemus, but for some reason, the other hybrids aboard his shipped seemed very agitated. They wanted to go directly to the huge Vemus starship not even knowing if it was dead or not. Ethan had told them no, they were taking things slowly and that’s what they did until the hybrid humans aboard the *Ascendant* stole a shuttle and took off directly towards the Vemus starship. His wife, Cynergy, was one of those involved in the treachery and they all were going to have to pay a price. This was almost equal to mutiny!
These stories are always well written and very detailed. I don’t know how long Connor Gates has been alive and I don’t remember the humans of New Earth developing and life extending processes but he’s been around for a long, long time and for most of this time, he’s been in the military! I think it’s time he retire and his Son, Ethan could carry on the Connor tradition. But, we’ll see what happens in the next book which interestingly has not been identified yet. I’m sure one will be forthcoming for sure!
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
While trying to fix the I-Drive they met the Aczar, a race of aliens that also knew about the Phantoms. Now the Phantoms are another mysterious race of aliens that so far have only conversed with Connor Gates. Why is unknown, but he’s the only one they desired to talk to and they did that very infrequently. Yet, the Aczar civilization had captured a Phantom and were using him to further their civilization. Salpheth was the captured Phantom and he was interesting to Connor Gates since his kind had to Connor that their involvement with finding the Vemus wasn’t going to be very successful. In fact, the Phantoms had told Connor that humans needed to stop trying to find the source of the Vemus because humanity wasn’t strong enough to defeat the Vemus once they found them. Connor knew that wasn’t exactly true since they had encountered the Vemus on Earth and had in fact destroyed the Alpha that had infected the planet. So, Connor was at least hoping that Salpheth would help these humans to find their way back home. Did he have any advanced knowledge about the I-Drive that could get them back home. And if he did, would he share that knowledge.
Meanwhile, Major Ethan Gates, Connor’s Son, was out exploring the galaxy in his first command ship, the *Ascendant*. Aboard the*Ascendant* were a mix of military and civilians, Most of the civilian were scientists keen on finding any leads that might reveal the home system of the Vemus. One of the civilian scientists was Cynergy, Ethan’s wife. Both Ethan and Cynergy were hybrids, a combination of human and Vemus. No one was sure exactly what that meant, but so far, these hybrids were able to manage and control their Vemus side that actually helped them live. When Ethan allowed his Vemus side to arise, he became almost super-human and had used this ability to get out of some pretty tight spots early in his career. But, there was a downside to being a hybrid. It seems that they could be affected by Vemus Alphas if they came near one. So far, they hadn’t found any evidence of the Vemus on this mission, but that was about to change.
So we have to story-lines going on involving Connor Gates and one involving Ethan Gates. While Connor has had his share of troubles over his seeming long career and life span and had the experience to work his way through those setbacks, Ethan wasn’t as nearly experienced. Still, Connor Gates and his small contingent of humans were thrown five-thousand light years away from home with no known way to get back. They were lucky the I-Drive hadn’t simply exploded, but after its recent event, it was now draining power at an alarming rate. There was no way this I-Drive had enough power to get them home and to make things worse, they had no clue as to where they were!
Ethan’s problems didn’t really start until his ship found the remnants of a huge battle between an unknown alien fleet and what seemed to have been a Vemus Alpha starship. He wanted to be very cautious about approaching anything having to do with the Vemus, but for some reason, the other hybrids aboard his shipped seemed very agitated. They wanted to go directly to the huge Vemus starship not even knowing if it was dead or not. Ethan had told them no, they were taking things slowly and that’s what they did until the hybrid humans aboard the *Ascendant* stole a shuttle and took off directly towards the Vemus starship. His wife, Cynergy, was one of those involved in the treachery and they all were going to have to pay a price. This was almost equal to mutiny!
These stories are always well written and very detailed. I don’t know how long Connor Gates has been alive and I don’t remember the humans of New Earth developing and life extending processes but he’s been around for a long, long time and for most of this time, he’s been in the military! I think it’s time he retire and his Son, Ethan could carry on the Connor tradition. But, we’ll see what happens in the next book which interestingly has not been identified yet. I’m sure one will be forthcoming for sure!
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
April 15, 2025
Love First Colony
And if have not read any, start with book 1 and enjoy. All are good, some are great, and a few are fantastic. Exploration, conflict, aliens and high adventure. Great characters that evolve and grow, raise families, and watch their kids follow in their footsteps to the stars. Thank Ken, I throughly enjoyed all of these.
And if have not read any, start with book 1 and enjoy. All are good, some are great, and a few are fantastic. Exploration, conflict, aliens and high adventure. Great characters that evolve and grow, raise families, and watch their kids follow in their footsteps to the stars. Thank Ken, I throughly enjoyed all of these.
May 9, 2025
The way home
A great read plenty of action science and personal development. Book follows two storylines both highly interesting. One is following General Gates and the lost ship other is Major Gates, son of the general, as they seek out the Venus. If you enjoy the books in this series you will love this one. I highly recommend it.
A great read plenty of action science and personal development. Book follows two storylines both highly interesting. One is following General Gates and the lost ship other is Major Gates, son of the general, as they seek out the Venus. If you enjoy the books in this series you will love this one. I highly recommend it.
May 25, 2025
Another First Class Adventure!
Like the previous volumes, I could not place the book down until I had read it all! Again it leaves the story open for multiple future adventures with all the twists and turns that holds a reader’s constant attention. Thanks again and I hope is a continued saga that keeps me wanting more.
Like the previous volumes, I could not place the book down until I had read it all! Again it leaves the story open for multiple future adventures with all the twists and turns that holds a reader’s constant attention. Thanks again and I hope is a continued saga that keeps me wanting more.
May 17, 2025
Loved it. So many new things happening
This book was a lot of fun as it brought so many different people and places and technologies into play. It was very fulfilling and different than past books. Enjoyed the read and couldn't put it down.
This book was a lot of fun as it brought so many different people and places and technologies into play. It was very fulfilling and different than past books. Enjoyed the read and couldn't put it down.
August 3, 2025
Connor and Family Respond to Pressures!
You have to feel sorry for Connor and his entire family. They always end up in not so great situations and manage to make the best decisions! Excellent Books! Thanks
You have to feel sorry for Connor and his entire family. They always end up in not so great situations and manage to make the best decisions! Excellent Books! Thanks
December 25, 2025
Another journey forward in the saga of new earth and the CDF.
Connor Gates and his son Ethan are both courageous characters in a never ending struggle with alien forces seeking their demise.
Connor Gates and his son Ethan are both courageous characters in a never ending struggle with alien forces seeking their demise.
April 13, 2025
Excellent
Edge of your seat great. I love this series and look forward to the next book in the series. It is never predictable which makes me love it even more.
Edge of your seat great. I love this series and look forward to the next book in the series. It is never predictable which makes me love it even more.
April 16, 2025
Really excellent story
The whole series is a great read, only problem with it is now I have to wait for the next one
The whole series is a great read, only problem with it is now I have to wait for the next one
April 30, 2025
Great Series
Another great story, character development and continuation of the series. Looking forward to the next book and where we go next!
Another great story, character development and continuation of the series. Looking forward to the next book and where we go next!
May 22, 2025
I've loved every single installment and this is no different. Heroism, daring, and tragedy in varying degrees. Brilliant.
June 2, 2025
another great book
Most enjoyable. The characters continue to develop and the storyline evolves with each volume. Looking forward to the next book.
Most enjoyable. The characters continue to develop and the storyline evolves with each volume. Looking forward to the next book.
June 4, 2025
oh my... what a ride. 😁👏👏👏👏👏 I cannot wait for the next book. please don't make it too long a wait. Absolutely fabulous read. Thank you Sir.❤️
June 11, 2025
A darned good read.
The story flowed well. It was hard not to keep reading until the end.
I am curious to where this will go.
The story flowed well. It was hard not to keep reading until the end.
I am curious to where this will go.
July 11, 2025
Excellent
The telling of both stories in the book complemented each other this was by far one if the best first colony books I have read
The telling of both stories in the book complemented each other this was by far one if the best first colony books I have read
August 1, 2025
WOW! Forsaken Outpost is one of my favorite books in the series so far. Not only is it an exciting read by itself, it also sets the stage for a new set of future adventures. I CANNOT WAIT!
September 8, 2025
Amazing!!
Really really good! The story kept me engaged and wanting to know more. So many new changes some for the better some not. Can't wait for the next book
Really really good! The story kept me engaged and wanting to know more. So many new changes some for the better some not. Can't wait for the next book
October 8, 2025
Captivating
Love this series.
Can't wait for the #19.
Lozito is in my top 3 of scifi authors.
Easy to lose myself in the story.
Love this series.
Can't wait for the #19.
Lozito is in my top 3 of scifi authors.
Easy to lose myself in the story.
September 7, 2025
Another great story
Another great story from a great storyteller. I’ve enjoyed reading all of Ken Lozito’s books! Just the right mix of character development and plot line to keep me engaged.
Another great story from a great storyteller. I’ve enjoyed reading all of Ken Lozito’s books! Just the right mix of character development and plot line to keep me engaged.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews