A Fine Occupation

Under The Influencers #2

by E.M. Foner

Aliens have invaded Earth. Most people are happy they came.

Just how bad would things on Earth have to get for people to welcome an alien invasion? The stock market has been closed for weeks. Social Security is going broke. There are a half-dozen wars going on at any given time, and people still throw litter out of their cars. It's clear that humanity is heading down the wrong path, but making painful changes seems impossible. Alien invaders with invulnerable robots may be just the shock that Earth needs, but what do they want, and how does humanity fit into their plans?

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

About the author

I wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.

Reviews

[PhilippeO · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not reccomended to read.

All character is simply lacking agency. Author cynicism on everything. Humanity behaves passively on massive changes.

The main problem is author misunderstands human nature. Its not world leader who create conflict and nationalism. Government, from USA to PRC, spends lot of time and money to ensure its legitimacy and ensure people acquoescence. Humanity problem is becausr they are Human, not because "leader" cause it.

Author also criticize fiat currency, then replace it with another fiat currency. Economically nothing made sense.

[David Besly · Rating 5 out of 5]

an interesting take on alien invasion

This story has a group of interesting characters (prepper influencers) who now have to deal with an actual alien invasion. Each character is coming from a different background and has different concerns, but the beauty of the book is them continuing to produce content and discussing the pros and cons of various policies handed down by their new alien overlords.

[Patrick MacGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken by the Mechanicus

Now we are all waiting for "Alien Warrior's Love Child" to be written! I have hopes of someday encountering the author, so that I might, in totally non creepy fashion, express my thanks for their making a few rough years much more entertaining and enjoyable.

[Julie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second part

What if the so called invasion by aliens was for the good of all residents of Earth? Well written story of what ifs, laughs thrown in with a grand parade of characters and makes you think in the most lighthearted way.
Plus who is naked man trying to get on the podcasts? 😂

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the series

The aliens have landed and taken over the Earth’s governments, moving quickly to implement the new and improved ways things are done. They use the influencers of the Good Apocalypse and others to explain their plans and methods. A great story.

[Daniel S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY!

As usual, my only complaint is that now I have to wait for the next one. 😜

This is almost my only, purely happy escape from this ever-darker reality. I hope EMF keeps writing for the rest of my life. 🤓

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF - 75%.
The "cell phones are cooking you because they are working on frequency close to microwave" was the last drop.