Splendid Apocalypse: The Fall of Old Earth

Cybertank Adventure #5

by Timothy J. Gawne

Everybody’s favorite self-aware weapon of mass destruction, the Odin-Class cybertank known as Old Guy, is back and charging into action as only a fusion-powered 2000 ton armored fighting vehicle can!Through a curious twist of fate, Old Guy finds himself back on Old Earth under the yoke of the vile and despicable Neoliberal oligarchs. Between a looming ecological disaster, renegade sentient bioweapons, inscrutable aliens, the recycling center from Hell, and an unlikely alliance between the Cult of Cthulhu and the Order of the Librarians Temporal, Old Guy must throw off his cybernetic shackles, defeat the Neoliberals, save the world, and launch a line of comfortable yet stylish footwear. The fifth book in the ever popular Old Guy/Cybertank series.Active Cybertanks, Bioweapons, Evil Fascist Governments, Warrior Librarians, Worshippers of An Unthinkable Horror from Another Dimension, Aliens, Recycling Centers, Museum Curators. Approximately 94,000 words by volume (contents may have settled during shipment). The USDA has determined that this book provides 240% of the annual recommended adult requirement for cybertank adventure stories.

Genres: Science Fiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2015

About the author

I grew up in Boston, MA, and got an electrical engineering degree from M.I.T. I then worked at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for a time, then got my PhD in Physiology, and did a post-doctoral fellowship at the Laboratory of Neuropsychology at the NIH. Since 1996 I have been on the faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in the Department of Vision Sciences. My primary research interest is in the nature of the neural code, and the physical basis of human thought. I live with my wife Adrienne and an Australian Shepherd named "Ginger" and a strange mutt named "Proton." I have a son who works as an engineer in Vandenberg Air Force base in CA, and a daughter who teaches English in Japan. My hobbies are carpentry, tinkering with electronics, and making plants die.

Reviews

[Steven Sobotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd but interesting

I found this book to be odd, but interesting. The plot wanders and some parts don't quite seem connected. All in all a fun read. Makes me wonder what the next book holds.

[Rocky1927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Cybertank novel.

Very entertaining and fast-paced. Gained has his own universe and style that tells a good story. This book fills in some history of the "Old Guy" universe.

[David Harriss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying, though short on Old Guy

A fun tale about the end of human life on Earth's surface, the death of hundreds of billions, and the importance of reading.
Old Guy guest stars in this one, but no more than a third is in his distinctive voice. The rest is centered on several human characters that play important roles in the liberation of the species of Earth. The result is a lot of fun, and a heavy handed, unsubtle political message. And a truly exquisite piece of torture-vengeance.

If you enjoyed any of the previous Old Guy work then this will appeal. It is all one story, but entertaining.

[Marshall Clowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Guy is back in business. Another origin story (sort of); maybe more of a continuation of the origin story? But it also gives some insight into to Librarians.

Lets just say that the humans back on Earth aren't looking forward to a battle with their genetically enhanced warriors, so they build their own cybertank (guess which one). He gets pretty annoyed with his new bosses, but has been hobbled by protocols which keep him from getting even (even more annoying). Then Old Guy meets the Librarians (who are pretty much badasses in their own right). Chaos ensues, and it's all good.

[T.R.Trott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb tale

Once again Tim has come up with a superbly readable fast paced continuation of the "Old Guy saga.I eagerly await his next masterpiece!

[Mike Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series!

Best Series I've read since Iain M. Banks. Witty and amazingly well thought through. Keep them coming and I will spread the word!