Check Fire

by Daniel Gibbs

The Marines are coming—but first, Arthur Hanson must survive long enough to see them arrive.


Trapped on New Rostov with PFLOS terrorists controlling the planet, Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Hanson has grown from a reluctant leader into the heart of a resistance movement. For weeks, he's bought time with blood and determination while reinforcements race across the void.


Fifty thousand Coalition Marines are inbound, but their success depends on perfect coordination. Arthur's resistance fighters must seize the main spaceport as the Marines assault and prevent PFLOS from turning the infrastructure into a killing field.


Above the planet, the Margaret Thatcher and the CDF fleet stand ready, but each battle reveals new depths to PFLOS capabilities and their League of Sol backers.


Arthur has come too far to fail the people counting on him, but leadership means knowing when to risk everything for those you're sworn to protect.


The liberation of New Rostov begins now.

Genres: Fiction

383 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2025

Reviews

[Olivier Dardant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is sugar reading, tastes great but terrible for your diet. Author has a lot of potential, combat scenes are fantastic. However most characters are hilarious caricature of a belief instead of flawed people. The story also has some bad lines added in food good measure. We get you sir from Starship trooper and flesh wound from Monty python come to mind as needlessly added into scenes.

[Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check Fire further expands the activities and players in this series. Col. Hanson and Lt. Faulkner stay on New Rostov to create and lead guerrilla resistance against a huge League of Sol army landed by PFLOS. With Hanson away, Major Miller must lead the crew of the CSV Margaret Thatcher. Gen. Cohen must fight political battles while working to dispatch sufficient forces to defeat the terrorists. The PFLOS terrorists and their League of Sol backers continue to up the ante by bringing major new resources to challenge the CDF and Marines. In summary, this book is fast paced with people, strategy, and battle aplenty. Definitely looking forward to Book 6!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supremely enjoyable military science fiction. This entry found the CO of the Margaret Thatcher trapped on a world that's been occupied by the dreaded commie bastards of PFLOS. Captain Hanson leads a ragtag group of marines, irregulars, and CDF space squids in hit and run battles as they await rescue from an incoming force of marines. Much shooting ensues. Bravery! Honor! Sacrifice! It is wonderful. Lots of space battles and ground battles! To quote a pretentious English professor who I once had, "Most satisfying. This series is fucking great, man. I can't wait to read the next one. And the prequels.

[Mark Conely]

Military SCFI with constant action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Daniel uses his own military experiences and Judeo faith to help craft his story and his writing. I have been part of Daniels ARC reading since book one and have watched him hone his wonderful skill of story telling! I am not a paid reader, I read because I enjoy his style and stories. Grab a copy and join me in following Daniel around HIS universe! GODSPEED everyone and to Daniel SHALOM! brother.

[Nigel Boubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check Fire is a thrilling finale to the liberation of New Rostov showing how Gibbs escalates the stakes from survival to liberation across the series. Arthur Hanson evolves from hesitant commander (Battlestations) to hardened strategist (Counterstrike), finally embodying the moral weight of leadership in Check Fire.

[Broderick King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok they finally met head on. The few weeks seemed like it was a lot longer( that happens in the real world also) The build up was very nice lots of action and suspense. I will not give too much away but there were Bar fights spies and blowing things up. Oh yeah and David had his hands full also.

Looking forward to seeing the next chapter.

[David Tomlinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Still a lot of God bothering

After a personal appearance by Jesus in a previous book, this last book seemed to lay off the heavy hand of religion. But I was wrong, the last two chapters were nothing but. 5th grade formulaic writing at its best.

[Ronald Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and shows what perseverance and courage can do.