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Lost Starship #12
The Lost Intelligence
His code name is Nostradamus, and he’s an ancient alien super-intelligence awakened by pesky humans crawling upon his planet. He decides to use these low-grade morons, testing some, making the special ones his agents and sending them into Star Watch to make the military organization his own. It’s an insidious assault from within, run by a creature with fantastic predictive powers against what he considers an infantile species. Captain Maddox and the crew of Victory catch a glimpse of the secret menace in the Tau Ceti System. They race back to Earth to report. But Nostradamus’s web is already closing in. It may already be too late. Except…Maddox, Galyan, Valerie and Professor Ludendorff refuse to give up on those they love. The secret war against humanity has a new set of champions, hardened veterans willing to challenge an alien that can predict their every move. Do Maddox and his crew stand a chance against the super-alien and the full weight of Star Watch turned against them? Find out in THE LOST INTELLIGENCE, the twelfth book in the Lost Starship Series.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 9, 2020
382 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Heppner
147 books569 followersYou 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
July 4, 2021
Very good!
March 8, 2024
Twelve books in and I’m still amazed at how unpredictable these books can be! Wild rollercoaster of twists and turns and just when you think you know what’s going on, it flips you on your head! Really enjoying this series and looking forward to the next one!
December 7, 2023
Edgier, but in a good way!
June 20, 2024
great group of characters!
This one is a doozy of intrigue and trouble around every corner; Maddox cannot seem to catch a break. It’s amazing to me how quickly people are to hate and do it as a group, many times without legitimate cause. It’s a reality in our real world so of course it’s reflected in authors writings. My favorite character still tends to be Galyan. I have to say that I don’t like the way Maddox talks to him or treats him most of the time. His tone and quick dismissal of him is rude, obnoxious, unfeeling and certainly degrading. He used to treat him more like a friend, and that’s something Galyan needs desperately. Galyan loved them all, claims them as his family. And here’s the thing (too), **no one says a thing to him about his treatment of Galyan! No one!They don’t even discuss it among themselves. I find that to be weird and shows a lack of caring on the groups part. Everything is so action packed and going from one danger, chaotic scene to the next. There’s hardly ever any downtime in the books and especially not as a group; those are more as romantic couples, friendly pairs or individuals; nothing as a crew, per say. I would like to see more camaraderie scenes—something simple: sitting together at dinner table, laughing, telling jokes, reminiscing to something more extravagant: a crew vacation on Brahma, where Dana lives, etc—- but including Galyan in those scenes, inviting him to sit with them, to participate in whatever way possible, versus standing and watching, in more of a silent observer mode. That’s just sad! I’m hoping they can find a girlfriend for him at some point and I’m also hopeful they’ll come up with a way for Galyan to get a robotic body or synth so he can copy himself and be mobile from the ship and feel like a true part of the crew, which he already is and so much more. But this is about Galyan and his perception and his mental health or wellbeing.
And what is up with lisa Mayer??
This one is a doozy of intrigue and trouble around every corner; Maddox cannot seem to catch a break. It’s amazing to me how quickly people are to hate and do it as a group, many times without legitimate cause. It’s a reality in our real world so of course it’s reflected in authors writings. My favorite character still tends to be Galyan. I have to say that I don’t like the way Maddox talks to him or treats him most of the time. His tone and quick dismissal of him is rude, obnoxious, unfeeling and certainly degrading. He used to treat him more like a friend, and that’s something Galyan needs desperately. Galyan loved them all, claims them as his family. And here’s the thing (too), **no one says a thing to him about his treatment of Galyan! No one!They don’t even discuss it among themselves. I find that to be weird and shows a lack of caring on the groups part. Everything is so action packed and going from one danger, chaotic scene to the next. There’s hardly ever any downtime in the books and especially not as a group; those are more as romantic couples, friendly pairs or individuals; nothing as a crew, per say. I would like to see more camaraderie scenes—something simple: sitting together at dinner table, laughing, telling jokes, reminiscing to something more extravagant: a crew vacation on Brahma, where Dana lives, etc—- but including Galyan in those scenes, inviting him to sit with them, to participate in whatever way possible, versus standing and watching, in more of a silent observer mode. That’s just sad! I’m hoping they can find a girlfriend for him at some point and I’m also hopeful they’ll come up with a way for Galyan to get a robotic body or synth so he can copy himself and be mobile from the ship and feel like a true part of the crew, which he already is and so much more. But this is about Galyan and his perception and his mental health or wellbeing.
And what is up with lisa Mayer??
October 19, 2021
In "The Lost Intelligence," author Vaughn Heppner returns to one of his favorite themes — demonstrating the potential dangers of artificial life. In fact, he's got an entirely separate series of sci-fi novels fixated on that same thing. In Captain Maddox's case, however, the technology angle isn't so overt. There's this character working behind the scenes to thwart the combined influences of humanity's various factions. It's an intelligence that refers to itself as Nostradamus, and it's surprisingly good at influencing people to help it achieve its means. The intelligence comes from ancient technology with Builder roots. Builders are a reportedly extinct race of super-intelligent beings who left behind scraps of technology that often assist rather than detract from the goals of mankind. This Nostradamus evidently awoke as the result of past nefarious dealings that Star Watch and its top agent have had to deal with. Maddox doesn't have much to go on, like usual, other than his gut. When a starship appears without explanation, the captain determines it to be a potential threat and initiates conflict that results in its destruction. Star Watch leadership takes a dim view of the situation, and it causes Maddox and his crew to get on the wrong side of the agency's new administration. What unfolds is classic Heppner, hard-boiled action and mystery. He introduces really reprehensible antagonists that make this one of the more fun in the series. The ending is highly satisfying.
April 22, 2020
New villains, same old team, higher stakes!
From the last volume, we knew there were new challenges ahead and its revelations provide some new motivation for Maddox as he faces the Commonwealth's most subversive threat yet. Fast paced, few distractions, hardly any side stories, this installment has less relationship building and only the bad guys get thorough character development. If you've read the previous stories, it's not a problem.
It may be me but there seemed to be a few grammatical errors that could have easily been corrected with a little attention. Are authors and publishers that rushed, lazy, or what? Of course, one could find much worse out there than this work. If you're a fan, it's a must read.
From the last volume, we knew there were new challenges ahead and its revelations provide some new motivation for Maddox as he faces the Commonwealth's most subversive threat yet. Fast paced, few distractions, hardly any side stories, this installment has less relationship building and only the bad guys get thorough character development. If you've read the previous stories, it's not a problem.
It may be me but there seemed to be a few grammatical errors that could have easily been corrected with a little attention. Are authors and publishers that rushed, lazy, or what? Of course, one could find much worse out there than this work. If you're a fan, it's a must read.
May 11, 2021
Easy way to speed read
Another great book in this series.Now I'll teach you how to speed read this books and most likely the rest.. Those of us who have gotten this far know all the characters history and what happened in past books. The author attempts to not only book his books interesting which they are to extreme but ALSO be attempts to m as me each book a stand alone by repeating over and over and over what happened in ALL the previous books so as soon as you see a reflection on the author's part of the characters doing this just skip to the next page and if exceptionally long winded two pages. This way you will not only not glaze over ,you will not miss a thing .
Another great book in this series.Now I'll teach you how to speed read this books and most likely the rest.. Those of us who have gotten this far know all the characters history and what happened in past books. The author attempts to not only book his books interesting which they are to extreme but ALSO be attempts to m as me each book a stand alone by repeating over and over and over what happened in ALL the previous books so as soon as you see a reflection on the author's part of the characters doing this just skip to the next page and if exceptionally long winded two pages. This way you will not only not glaze over ,you will not miss a thing .
May 9, 2023
DNF at 40%
I guess it's a bit of my own mistake for reading a book that was the 12th one in a series. However from reading the reviews it seemed like it was readable without reading the rest of the series.
Unfortunately to me the summary seemed interesting, but 40% in barely any progress was made in the story. I also thought it was super dumb that normal humans thought they could compete against modified/enhanced humans. Like, just bad writing overall.
Maybe if you read the 11 books before it was better, but I didn't think there were any interesting concepts at all in this book. So I'll be skipping this series.
I guess it's a bit of my own mistake for reading a book that was the 12th one in a series. However from reading the reviews it seemed like it was readable without reading the rest of the series.
Unfortunately to me the summary seemed interesting, but 40% in barely any progress was made in the story. I also thought it was super dumb that normal humans thought they could compete against modified/enhanced humans. Like, just bad writing overall.
Maybe if you read the 11 books before it was better, but I didn't think there were any interesting concepts at all in this book. So I'll be skipping this series.
December 22, 2025
Another exciting installment of this series. This book felt a little different, since the big bad guy was sort of more human than in the past few books, even though it wasn't. I really like that (spoiler) Maddox and Professor Ludendorff got along, for the most part, in this book. With all the revelations about Maddox's past, I would have expected it to have a bigger impact, but it was largely unimportant to this story, kind of weird, but not the end of the world (I mean, it really only affected what he called someone, more than any relationships). I can't wait to see what happens next.
October 1, 2020
It twists and it turns, captivating the reader
I’ve read them all so far and my only disappointment is getting to the end of the latest book and having to wait for the next one. This story started 12 books ago and is as entertaining and thrilling as the first one. You just can’t out these books down. This book especially had chapters devoted to ensuring background events were fleshed out to improve the story line. Amazingly fun to read.
And now I sit, bummed, waiting for book 13 ;-)
I’ve read them all so far and my only disappointment is getting to the end of the latest book and having to wait for the next one. This story started 12 books ago and is as entertaining and thrilling as the first one. You just can’t out these books down. This book especially had chapters devoted to ensuring background events were fleshed out to improve the story line. Amazingly fun to read.
And now I sit, bummed, waiting for book 13 ;-)
December 21, 2020
The devil may damn it! Was in the middle of a project when I started reading this new episode and I was never going to put it down until the last page.
This is how good this series and this book beats all previous iterations: the intensity, subtle changes in Maddox, the hilarious verbal sparring between Lundendorf and Maddox, the poor but at times funny Beck. This one is one ball of fun and exciting to read!
This is how good this series and this book beats all previous iterations: the intensity, subtle changes in Maddox, the hilarious verbal sparring between Lundendorf and Maddox, the poor but at times funny Beck. This one is one ball of fun and exciting to read!
April 17, 2020
Never Disappointed
This is one of those rare series you never want to end. I enjoyed the ending with Ludendorff and Maddox. I'd like to see more of Galyan's past. I enjoyed a few books back where Marc Boyett altered his voice to what sounded like before being "deified". Maybe some mission where it turns out he isn't the last of his kind after all? The Lost People....?
This is one of those rare series you never want to end. I enjoyed the ending with Ludendorff and Maddox. I'd like to see more of Galyan's past. I enjoyed a few books back where Marc Boyett altered his voice to what sounded like before being "deified". Maybe some mission where it turns out he isn't the last of his kind after all? The Lost People....?
May 12, 2020
Great adventure
Captain Maddox and his crew save humanity from sinister forces from the ancient past. One can hope that sometime soon the Captain and his beautiful wife Meta together with truly reformed Professor Ludendorf and his healed partner Dana will battle more conventional enemies and become inseparable friends.
Captain Maddox and his crew save humanity from sinister forces from the ancient past. One can hope that sometime soon the Captain and his beautiful wife Meta together with truly reformed Professor Ludendorf and his healed partner Dana will battle more conventional enemies and become inseparable friends.
Read
May 17, 2020Yet another excellent installment in an excellent and entertaining series
I have it only four stars simply because I wished it were longer and had a few more open avenues for continuation of the multiple plot lines.
Regardless, it is a very worthy addition to the series and I look forward to the next installment
I have it only four stars simply because I wished it were longer and had a few more open avenues for continuation of the multiple plot lines.
Regardless, it is a very worthy addition to the series and I look forward to the next installment
May 24, 2020
Intriguing
Plots, counter plots all keeping you glued to this book. Mind manipulation/suggestion. Are your thoughts your own or have they been tampered with? How can you tell? You’ll be second guessing yourself throughout this book trying to figure out what is real or altered in the characters thinking.
Plots, counter plots all keeping you glued to this book. Mind manipulation/suggestion. Are your thoughts your own or have they been tampered with? How can you tell? You’ll be second guessing yourself throughout this book trying to figure out what is real or altered in the characters thinking.
July 1, 2020
This Series Keeps Getting Better
Captain Maddox and the crew of the Victory always makes for a good read, this time Vaughn Heppner steps it up a notch and delivers a first rate read. I like a more humain Professor Leudendorf, it is time to make him a more certain allied character. Keep it up VH!
Captain Maddox and the crew of the Victory always makes for a good read, this time Vaughn Heppner steps it up a notch and delivers a first rate read. I like a more humain Professor Leudendorf, it is time to make him a more certain allied character. Keep it up VH!
August 2, 2020
Love this author!
Love these books but if Mr. Heppner doesn’t take a break I’m not going to get my homework done. Really love the faith, morality, conviction, friendship, and character, and strength woven into all his characters. Really can’t put them down once I pick them up. Just good old fashioned enjoyable reading!
Love these books but if Mr. Heppner doesn’t take a break I’m not going to get my homework done. Really love the faith, morality, conviction, friendship, and character, and strength woven into all his characters. Really can’t put them down once I pick them up. Just good old fashioned enjoyable reading!
April 30, 2025
An insurmountable challenge?
A threat from Jarnevon again raises it's ugly head. With the aid of a mind controlled minion the reawakened super intelligence sets in motion it's plans for controlling Star Watch and Earth. With apparent success fully achieved the crew of Victory set out to defeat it.
A threat from Jarnevon again raises it's ugly head. With the aid of a mind controlled minion the reawakened super intelligence sets in motion it's plans for controlling Star Watch and Earth. With apparent success fully achieved the crew of Victory set out to defeat it.
March 17, 2020
Good book
It was an entertaining book to read. With this being the 12th book, it’s hard to keep a series going this long. It definitely changes away from the previous plots. I’ll be reading number 13 when it comes out.
It was an entertaining book to read. With this being the 12th book, it’s hard to keep a series going this long. It definitely changes away from the previous plots. I’ll be reading number 13 when it comes out.
March 22, 2020
Another great story
I really enjoy this series. Please keep it going! Vaughn Heppner is a master story teller. Also, would like to see the star Viking series and Ancient civilizations continue. These books are a rare treat in these times of confinement.
I really enjoy this series. Please keep it going! Vaughn Heppner is a master story teller. Also, would like to see the star Viking series and Ancient civilizations continue. These books are a rare treat in these times of confinement.
March 27, 2020
Great read; can't wait for the next!
Very good!
I resent the word requirements, I resent the word requirements, I resent the word requirements, I resent the word requirements. If you want responses, don't be a jerk about it. Remember, I am the paying public!
Very good!
I resent the word requirements, I resent the word requirements, I resent the word requirements, I resent the word requirements. If you want responses, don't be a jerk about it. Remember, I am the paying public!
April 4, 2020
Excellent book, had me on the edge of my seat.
I am ready for the next book in the series. I can't get enough, reading it as slowly as I humanly could go make it last but now it's done and I am starving for more.
I am ready for the next book in the series. I can't get enough, reading it as slowly as I humanly could go make it last but now it's done and I am starving for more.
May 25, 2020
This is good heavy metal sci-fi, but everything is just a rehash of things in earlier books. I had hoped it would be the last, but there's one more villain to chase down, and save humanity yet one more time.
June 5, 2020
Fun
Good to see the crew again. Nice to have Cook and the Iron Lady back, they are fun....even Stokes. Only reason I still cannot give it more than 3 stars is that there are still no characters of Color.
Good to see the crew again. Nice to have Cook and the Iron Lady back, they are fun....even Stokes. Only reason I still cannot give it more than 3 stars is that there are still no characters of Color.
June 9, 2020
Action packed, espionage, space battles, emotions! This is an audiobook review. I really enjoyed all the different things that happened in this story. Same great crew, taking on tough odds. I highly recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2020
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!!!
אחלה ספרים, כל הסדרה. מחכה להמשך!!!!
June 11, 2020
Maddox to the rescue
Loved the detours in the story. Glad the iron lady is better. Can't wait to see what's next. Time to seek out more Gaylan history. The adoks are still a mystery. Need more ur-builder and builder explanations. Captain can handle it
Loved the detours in the story. Glad the iron lady is better. Can't wait to see what's next. Time to seek out more Gaylan history. The adoks are still a mystery. Need more ur-builder and builder explanations. Captain can handle it
August 13, 2020
Great fun.
Another. Great chapter in the Capt. Maddox saga. Great fun. Excellent characters, intriguing plots, exciting action. Look forward to reading more adventures of the crew of Victory.
Another. Great chapter in the Capt. Maddox saga. Great fun. Excellent characters, intriguing plots, exciting action. Look forward to reading more adventures of the crew of Victory.
January 27, 2021
As always a good read
I love reading about Victory and her crew and Captain Maddox.
I would love to read about a final showdown between Maddox and Lisa Myers.
I do hope Mr Heppner continues to delight us with Victory.
I love reading about Victory and her crew and Captain Maddox.
I would love to read about a final showdown between Maddox and Lisa Myers.
I do hope Mr Heppner continues to delight us with Victory.
May 17, 2021
This series is worth continuing
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book of the series. I do hope the author continues. It is very very worthwhile reading and enjoyable and action packed I can't say enough. Anyone that likes a good space thriller this is the series for you.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book of the series. I do hope the author continues. It is very very worthwhile reading and enjoyable and action packed I can't say enough. Anyone that likes a good space thriller this is the series for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews