Behind Enemy Lines: A United Federation Marine Corps Novel

by Jonathan P. Brazee

Four men, brought together by chance, trapped well behind enemy lines. Surrender and ride out the war in safety, or fight the enemy until their last breath. They choose to fight. Jasper van Ruiker is an elderly algae farmer, drafted into the local militia to defend his village from the invading Tenners. Lieutenant Castor “Mountie” Klocek is a Navy pilot, shot down during an air-to-ground mission. Lance Corporal Javier Julio Gregory Portillo and Sergeant Gary Go are Marine combat engineers, the only survivors of a deep-recon mission to destroy a bridge. All four are thrust together by chance, and they must learn to work together if they are going to survive, Jasper to search for his wife and grandchildren who fled their destroyed village, and the three servicemen to reach Federation forces far to the north. Surrounded by enemy troops, they have to decide what “duty” means. Do they attempt to avoid the enemy and exfiltrate to friendly territory to live and fight another day, or do they aggressively prosecute the war despite overwhelming odds? This novel is set in the United Federation Marine Corps universe, 200 years before the previous series. It is a stand-alone book that does not directly tie into any of the other UFMC novels.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2017

About the author

I am a retired Marine colonel and now a full-time writer living in Colorado Springs with my wife, Kiwi, and infant twin daughters, Danika Dawn and Darika Marie.

I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.

My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.

I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.

As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.

If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book by one of my favorite authors. I’ve read all of his United Federation Marine Corps books that involved the Lysander family including the latest with the twins, Noah and Esther. This book is different, though. It’s really about four guys who find themselves far behind enemy lines with the need to obviously return to their own friendly lines, family and air wing. Yeah, that’s kind of different. These four guys consist of two Marine Engineers, a Navy Lieutenant pilot-type, and a recently turned Militia Private who is quite old by our current standards, but no so much during this future.

The problem I had was I couldn’t relate to any of these guys. The two Marine Engineers were sent on a mission with a Marine Recon squad as escort to blow up a key bridge deep in enemy territory. Sergeant Gary James Go is the hard-nosed veteran Marine while his other team member was Lance Corpral Javier Julio Gregory Portillo, usually called “JJ”. Of course JJ is the younger of the two and the least experienced. But, they had a mission to blow up a bridge and that was going to be accomplished no matter what. And, in fact, It did cost quite a lot. They lost the four-man recon team while blowing up the bridge. So, Sergeant Go and JJ were now on their own many, many kilometers from their own lines.

Then there’s the algae farmer, Jasper van Ruiker, was farming and colonizing the planet Nieuwe Utrecht when the “Tenner’s" invaded. The Tenner’s are corporate mercenaries hired by ten corporations who together wanted a bigger share of the money making planets in this sector. It didn’t matter to them that the planet was under the protection of the Federation and that there were already Federation troops on the ground; not many, but they were present. The Nieuwe Utrecht militia was formed and all able-bodied men were drafted to fight. Jasper was 78 years old, but expected to see another 30 to 40 years if he didn’t get killed in this war. His main concern right now was for his wife and grandchildren who had fled to the mountains to try and stay safe. Jasper was on the front line and didn’t think he’d every see any of them again.

Next we find on “Mountie” crawling around on the ground trying not to get killed. He’s a Navy pilot that has just been shot down after assisting his wing man on a bombing run. Assisting might be too big a word since Mountie (his call-sign) had dived towards the enemy on the ridge in an unarmed plane. He’s already used all his ordnance on a previous mission and was returning to the carrier when the call for support came in. So his wingman, “Skeets”, who had ordnance was actually making the strafing run while Mountie was just trying to draw some fire away from him. It worked except Mountie got shot down. Now he was behind enemy lines and wasn’t sure where he should be heading, but he knew there were no enemy left on the ridge they had just destroyed, but there might be some friendly survivors still there. That’s where he heads.

So, there are the four main characters. They manage to meet up along their wandering way towards friendly lines. Each has their own opinions of what they are or should be doing and sometimes they are in conflict with each other. Still, they do recognize that they are part of the Federation military on this planet and must do whatever is necessary to remain alive, and cause the enemy as much trouble as they can. It’s an interesting journey. Not all of them make it back.

There is no sequel to this. This was just a stand alone book which is fine, but I’m still waiting for maybe another continuing series like the Lysander series. I believe "Noah’s Story: Marine Tanker" was the last book in that series so I’m still waiting for more.

[Michael Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual Marine Corp Military Space Opera

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: PLANETARY MILITIA MILITARY SPACE OPERA

This plot seems unusual for Braze. In past series, we have seen young people join the Corps and develop their skills. Many protagonists are seventeen. In this story, the protagonist is SEVENTY rather than SEVENTEEN. Our hero is a seventy year-old algae farmer, working as a free citizen after serving a period of virtual slavery, indentured to a giant corporation. However the giant corporations do hire mercenary fighters to gain and advantage over other corporations...

Of course, there is constant action and battles (it IS a Brazee novel, after all). Rather than a young man finding himself, we have an older man demonstrating his continuing ability and utility.

[Darrell Minard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very good reading from my favorite author.

This book made me feel like I personally. knew each of the characters. I also felt like I was there on the scene with the characters. I really felt a real bound with Jasper. Even though I was in the Navy I was enlisted and not an officer like Mountie. So far I have read everything Jonathan Fraser has published I am looking forward to the next book. Dean Minard

[Beach Bum · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* to do it justice

It's an interesting story, one not seen very often, especially given the varied backgrounds of the main characters
Speaking of the main characters they are all interesting, well thought out and likeable.
The ending comes along in a bit of a rush, but given how it goes is not unexpected. Be interesting to see how book 2 goes, at there is no obvious continuation

[Joseph K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book with lots of action and great characters

This book was filled with action and great characters. The scenes were detailed and the story flowed nicely. The universe the story was set in also came alive with this story, and although war would not be fun to actually be in, it would be nice to go visit the characters in the book. I recommend this book.

[Keith Tomaszewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old guy wins.

Interesting plot, Corporations against Federation. It was an enjoyable read. The combination of characters was well done. Having served in the army, I know a little from Marine friends about their allegiance to the Navy. Also having served in the reserve, I know the feeling of being loaned out.
It was a fun read, thank you!

[Fred Kingery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Col. Brazee,

Col. Brazee,
Another great book from an author that knows the CORPS,

OoorrraaaHhh! From a fellow Marine Officer who has also seen the Elephant. Keep up the great writing.
Fred Kingery
Capt. USMC 1/5
Hue City, TET 68
AnHoa, Vietnam 68/69

[Dale (Aus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, a good filler book between other on the list.

[Jim Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story!

Good writing, easy to read and follow, good story about the total uselessness of war, how it destroys people and good things.

[Jay Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

an interesting story

This book is interesting from the first page to the last. With lots of action it kept this veteran marine interested.

[Andrew Niemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, with characters the reader can really care about

[Roy Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Enemy Lines

Another good tale from Jonathan P.Brazee.
From start to finish,a story to get caught up in.
Now on to the next book by Brazee.

[David P. Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid, Quick Read

"Behind Enemy Lines: A United Federation Marine Corps Novel," turned out to be a surprisingly solid, quick read. Authored by Lt. Colonel Jonathan P. Brazee, USMCR (Ret), the story was character driven, simple plotting, and refreshingly free of unnecessary devices.

The story takes place in the far future, on a colonized planet, that is agro-centric, sparsely settled, and the chosen battlefield of the Federation Government and the mercenary forces sent by Corporations ("Tenners"), to see who will control this world.

A quartet of unlikely comrades, strive to accomplish their missions: a farmer, drafted into the planetary militia, needs to find his fleeing family and protect them; a Federation Navy pilot, who has been shot down and stranded; and a pair of Federation Marine combat engineers, cut-off from their unit. All find themselves behind the lines, and join together in the journey.

Having read a few of the author's other works, and being disappointed by them, it was a pleasure to read this book.
LtCol. Brazen, played to his writing strengths in "Behind Enemy Lines." The writing, dialogue, characters all ring true.

"Behind Enemy Lines," is highly recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.

[Larry Loughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably his best book so far.

Well written though there are occasional typos but a very good read if you like military sci-fi. This is his best book in this series.

[Howard Brazee]

Interstellar Marines novel.

This one occurs significantly before other novels in this series. The political environment was growing worse, but that isn't significant.

Instead, we have 2 foot Marines, a pilot, and a local draftee (a family man farmer) caught behind enemy lines working together. Chapter titles are names of the characters, with their points of view.

I liked the way this was written.

[Ray Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

A group of men from diverse backgrounds are thrown together in the midst of war and find friendship and courage in battle. Although the story is familiar, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Recommended highly