The Seed of Destruction: A Colonial Fleet Novel

Nexus House #6

by Rick Campbell

In the depths of a mountain fortress, the fate of two warring Houses rests on the fragments of a powerful gem that destroy all who touch them.

Domus Praesidium, a soaring citadel etched into the mountainside, stands as the final bastion of the Nexus House, home to the prescients who have guided humanity from the shadows for millennia. Three decades after their ancient nemesis was defeated and supposedly vanquished, the Corvad House emerges from hiding with an overwhelming force led by a new ruthless princeps. His eradicate every living Nexus.

After a Corvad-commanded fleet obliterates Domus Praesidium’s energy shields and Corvad forces assault the mountain stronghold's defenses, Jon McCarthy, Elena Kapadia, and Lara Anderson—the mysterious Nexus with no timeline—race to reclaim the sixth and final fragment of the Krystalis, hoping to reforge the powerful gem shattered at the dawn of the House War three millennia ago. A gem according to Legend that only O'Lorun, the mother of humanity, has wielded without being incinerated.

As Corvad forces penetrate deep into Domus Praesidium, the Nexus House’s only chance rests on Lara's ability to reforge the deadly Krystalis and harness its power. But as she attempts the supposedly impossible task, her latent talents emerge along with disturbing truths about her past—revelations and powers that will either lead the Nexus House to victory—or its complete destruction.

The Seed of Destruction, Rick Campbell’s explosive conclusion to the Nexus House-Colonial Fleet saga is an adrenaline-fueled novel that will enthrall fans of Dune and Leviathan Wakes.

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Praise for the Nexus House

“…a new far-future, military sci-fi series...”—Library Journal

“…a testament to mankind's determination to triumph against all odds.” —Chris Pourteau, bestselling author of the award-winning SynCorp Saga

“If you’re a fan of epic sci-fi, Campbell will not disappoint.”—Raquel Byrnes, author of The Memory Bank

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Rick Campbell was the director of Anhinga Press for twenty years and is the founding director of the Florida Literary Arts Coalition and its Other Words Conference. He teaches in the Sierra Nevada College low residency MFA program and also teaches English at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.

He has won a Pushcart prize, an NEA fellowship in poetry, and two poetry fellowships from the Florida Arts Council. Poems and essays have appeared in The Georgia Review, The Florida Review, Prairie Schooner, Fourth River, Kestrel, Puerto Del Sol, New Madrid and other journals.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

For the Trident series author, see Rick Campbell.

Reviews

[Cathy Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this ends the first series of what’s now an expanded group of books with an unexpected resolution. This series has featured an above average number of women in prominent role and it’s a real shame that they’re not more realistic, especially Lara.

The publisher provided an advanced copy, my opinion is my own.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was left reeling by the twist in this one. I’m still not sure how I feel about it as it changes the series relationship with the FMC. I think I hate it because it kind of leaves us without a hero. At the same time it really opens up the possibilities of how the final two books play out. I’m giving it 4 stars because it was still an enjoyable read but I’m anxious about the next book.

[anthony boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charters, conflict, unexpected events

Continuation of well developed characters, good characters with internal conflicts, bad characters with a single focus. Still unresolved commingling of blood deep cohorts.