The Stellar Death Plan

Masters of Space #1

by Robert E. Vardeman

Earth barely fed its own people. Jobs were scarce and many scholars pointed to this century as a new Dark Ages. This wasn’t the time to raise the banner for a new crusade against aliens. Or was it? Barton Kinsolving has got a lot on his plate. As mine supervisor for Interstellar Materials’ Deepdig #2 mining operation, he has to ensure that the mine is run safely, efficiently, and, most importantly, in a way that doesn’t make their alien landlords angry. Humans are new to the interstellar scene. With a dying planet they were desperate to escape, they went out into the universe in the search of something better, only to find that there were others already there, more numerous and more technologically advanced. Luckily, the alien races see the humans only as a primitive nuisance, and while they treat Earthlings with disdain, they can come to agreements. Such as allowing the humans to mine their land for rare earth materials that humanity needs to power interstellar flight – at a heavy price of course. Theft of untold tons of rare materials has occurred, and been moved off-world without paying the tax. And the Lorr, the alien overseers, are not going to like that. In the cause of his investigation, Kinsolving uncovers a much larger, much more insidious plan and suddenly he is a man marked for murder by the company he once served and the woman he once loved. Framed for crimes beyond imagination, hunted by human and alien alike, only Barton can avert an interstellar war of unthinkable proportions! Praise for Robert E. “Fast action, unusual characters, and fun to read!” – Fred Saberhagen “Without a doubt, Vardeman can write an exciting page-turner!” – MyShelf.com Robert E. Vardeman has written over fifty science fiction, mystery, western and fantasy novels. As well as his main works he has written under eight pseudonyms, venturing into game tie-in works, Star Trek novels, and short fiction. After gaining a degree in physics, he began writing for fanzines, resulting in a nomination for the 1972 Hugo Award for the Best Fan Writer. His other Venture works include Cenotaph Road, A Symphony of Storms, and The Glass Warrior.

Genres: Science Fiction

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2017

About the author

Also writes as:
Daniel Moran
F.J. Hale
Edward S. Hudson
Karl Lassiter
Jackson Lowry

Reviews

[Mary Sue Scratch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man this book had everything you could ask for from a $1 paperback scifi novel from a used book store on the verge of closing. It had a space hero, space babes, space ships, space aliens of all kinds, space Evil Guys, strange planets and space action around every corner!
Yes, it may be beyond misogynistic, yes the writing may have been kinda pretty really bad, yes it’s anti-racism message may have been really weak and one dimensional, but did I go into this book expecting substance? No! I came for fast cheap thrills from cover to cover and that’s what I got, and I’m definitely getting the next two in the series.
TLDR wouldn’t recommend if you want an intelligent read.