The Lost Battleship

by Vaughn Heppner

The effort almost killed him, but Maddox temporarily closed the breach to an alien dimension, one where genetic supermen rule humanity as gods.

The trouble is the master race’s Ninth Assault Fleet is still inside Commonwealth space—and destroying worlds with hellburner missiles.

Without the hyper-spatial tubes of the smashed Nexuses, the Grand Fleet can’t jump straight to battle. To win, Star Watch must relearn maneuver warfare across light-years against super soldiers bred for war.

Lord High Admiral Haig commands the fleet—but Captain Maddox has the plan that might save them all, if he can make anyone listen. Politics, assassins, and Directive 87 threaten to shatter Star Watch just when humanity needs unity most.

THE LOST BATTLESHIP is the 24th book in the Lost Starship series, a star-spanning saga of deadly space war by millions-selling author Vaughn Heppner.

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2025

About the author

You can visit Vaughn at www.vaughnheppner.com

I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.

I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.

Reviews

[Mike Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vaughn Heppner pushed himself with "The Lost Battleship," the 24th in the Lost Starship series. Not only has he thrust the incomparable Captain Maddox into a cauldron of constant turmoil and danger, but he's increased the level of intrigue and political threat from Maddox's own government. Because of the Dominion's New Men, who pierced the dimensional barrier, humanity has grown to fear all who are different. New men are genetically enhanced using ancient alien Builder technology and consider themselves far superior to normal humans. In the Dominion dimension, they have already subjugated the "lesser" humans, treating them like slaves. Earth in Maddox's dimension is Dominion's natural target, still the seat of interplanetary government under the Lord Chancellor, who is feeble and subject to intense coughing fits at about 120 years old. The real power behind him comes from an advisor, Priscilla Gupen, who believes humanity shouldn't be sullied by people like Maddox and his crew. Maddox is half New Man. His wife comes from a planet with increased gravity and has strength beyond normal humans. And on Victory, Maddox's ship, Galyan, an alien artificial intelligence, also causes Gupen fits. She wholly supports Directive 87, which specifies that only people 100 percent human can participate in anything related to government. That means its passage would drum Maddox and much of his crew from Star Watch. The directive comes despite Maddox being the one responsible for closing the dimensional rift that allowed an invading force into humanity controlled space. However, an invading force from Dominion already has invaded and remains formidable despite Maddox's efforts to whittle down the number of ships in its fleet. Of course, humanity's fears are not altogether wrong. Dominion's invaders have taken over a substantial star system and killed millions. In Battleship, Maddox has one ally. Lord High Admiral Haig, who initially didn't like the arrogant Maddox, has grown to accept him despite his differences and sometime insubordinate behavior because of Maddox's ability to avert disaster and win conflicts. Haig takes the Grand Fleet to the Dominion invaders and makes an enemy of Gupen because he refuses to sign the directive before he leaves. He considers it crazy not to use all of Star Watch's assets in a conflict that could mean the end of the human race as he's known it. There appears to be an allegory here that continues to build. Even the ending sets up more conflict. Maddox must figure out how to navigate adverse politics, an enemy who is highly intelligent and deadly and allies who question his loyalty because of who his parents were. Heppner has never been better.

[Jason Polensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 24 deep - still looking forward to more

Since you've made it this far, you are also waiting to see how far it goes or if the author will stop this great series.

Captain and Commodore Maddox is mid-career. His difar sense seems to be less a point in this book, as are the spacers, but there is foreshadowing for a future connection to lost civilizations.

Uncle Ural is still trapped on the library planet.

What will the dominion dimension Madddox do when he punches through to the unprepared commonwealth?

The author needs coffee or stronger to get the next few books out with all of this book fresh in my mind.

[Mr P Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last two books in the series have really reignited the adventures of Maddox and his crew. Lots of things to tie up though: preparations for the reopening of the rift, Golden Ural and his current position, will the dimsion new men join with the new men of our universe? All these and more (hopefully) still to come.

[Jerome K. (Jerry) Lipsich · Rating 5 out of 5]

More

I'm pretty sure we need a trilogy here. Maybe two or three more books to wrap up the loose ends. Getting Maddox into a higher position, smashing the HU, giving Haig the chancellorship, having the new men and the confederation reunite with a humanity that gives up its prejudice and paranoia. . . Then we can move on to the library planet and the builders.

[unknown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heppner does it again with an amazingly good read on a series that is top notch

I have all of those series and as any other reader been rewarded with Heppner giving more than great stories and action, but a cast of characters who are absolutely fantastic, giving this series a story line that just leaves you wanting more. Outstanding read.

[Kevin S. Crossett · Rating 5 out of 5]

another amazing episode in the lost battleship series

The title says it all! What a matchup coming our way, the Dominion Maddox v star watch’s Maddox. Will Gupen get Maddox this time around or not. Heppner’s writing brings you right in the story as if you are with Haig and Maddox discussing the strategy to defeat the Ninth Fleet. Can’t wait for the next book.

[James Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in a long time

This was a terrific book, filled with surprises and correct linear, thinking. I congratulate you on the best book in many many chapters of the series. I look forward to the next one.

[tony santamaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've absolutely loved the series. This book took story to another level. Eagerly looking forward to the Maddox's from 2 dimensions clashing. Also cant wait for Minister Gupen to get her comeuppance (hopefully) Vaughn please keep story going. Cheers

[John Reimschisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed this, a very good one in the series

I like this one, keep the series going and maybe add another friendly species.
Skip this current story line and come back to it after a couple more books

[Scott Farwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the grand battle

This was a very enjoyable read as they prepared to battle The dominion new men The dominion new men at taosigny. New ideas Are needed to get advantage and save the grand fleet.

[Don Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Looks like it is going to get very interesting. I like the number of directions the ending of this book has presented

[CHARLES B SPERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

One of the best in a series of 24 reads! Can't wait for Victory crew to take on the Dominion Grand Fleet!

[Angelos S. Angelidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced intrigue

Loved the story. Fast paced and full of subterfuge.
Particularly liked the main battle near the end.
Now have to wait for the next installment

[Lee-sa Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Edge of your seat reading. Couldn't put it down, read for hours. Then got upset because I finished it too soon.. Love, love this series!!!!!