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Uplink Squadron #2
Second Flight
The ultimate fusion of pilot and machine is back!
Lieutenants Lance Baker and Sofia Jimenez saved Earth in the fateful battle against the aliens who’d been intent on its destruction. But there’s a problem.
One of the enemy carriers got away.
Not only did that, but it fled to a star that’s out of reach of Terran jump technology, and it’s probably going for reinforcements. Worse, the final battle to save Earth resulted in the destruction of most of Terra’s defensive forces, and Lance and Sofia still have no idea what’s waiting for them among the stars.
Except that whatever’s out there, it doesn’t like them very much. And they’ve got nothing to stop it.
Lance and Sofia will have to reconstitute Uplink Squadron and lead it back to the stars to find out about the aliens that have attacked—who they are and where they’re hiding—and they may have to do it without Irina and Daiyu, who the Russians and Chinese want back. Now.
They’ll have to find the alien home world and prevent a devastating war. Because there’s no one else who can.
It’s time to plug back in and save the world. Again. Before it's too late.
Lieutenants Lance Baker and Sofia Jimenez saved Earth in the fateful battle against the aliens who’d been intent on its destruction. But there’s a problem.
One of the enemy carriers got away.
Not only did that, but it fled to a star that’s out of reach of Terran jump technology, and it’s probably going for reinforcements. Worse, the final battle to save Earth resulted in the destruction of most of Terra’s defensive forces, and Lance and Sofia still have no idea what’s waiting for them among the stars.
Except that whatever’s out there, it doesn’t like them very much. And they’ve got nothing to stop it.
Lance and Sofia will have to reconstitute Uplink Squadron and lead it back to the stars to find out about the aliens that have attacked—who they are and where they’re hiding—and they may have to do it without Irina and Daiyu, who the Russians and Chinese want back. Now.
They’ll have to find the alien home world and prevent a devastating war. Because there’s no one else who can.
It’s time to plug back in and save the world. Again. Before it's too late.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2022
499 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 17, 2022
Fun read
Another great installment of this collab from Kennedy and Chaney. I'm loving the characters and this version of Earth's future.
Another great installment of this collab from Kennedy and Chaney. I'm loving the characters and this version of Earth's future.
September 1, 2022
I went straight to book 2 in this series because it is so very good. I like the way the story is developing and one reason in particular is that I can't figure out what is going to happen next. Some stories are pretty predictable in that the main character does this or that or he/she is dead, end of story. Not so here. In fact, the alien threat seems to go away for quite a spell and that allows for the Earth to do some very critical things.
One of which is to start forming a central world government. Yeah, that's kind of farfetched idea to our current way of thinking, but the President of the US doesn't feel that Earth can respond to this alien threat on a country-by-country basis. So he begins a dialogue with the Russian Prime Minister and the President of the People's Republic of China. Surprisingly, China agrees with the idea and then says they have a condition (well, more than one, but this is the BIG one). He wants a Synthetic Intelligence (SI) like Daiyu Zhao. The Russian also speaks up and says that they also will need their own SI or the agreement can never take place. We got to this point because neither of the current Synthetic Intelligences Daiyu Zhao or Irina Koslova want anything to do with their former countries. The USA has granted both entities asylum much to the dismay and disgust of both countries. Still, the President of the US says that he'll agree to help create their own SIs, but he'll have to consult with the experts to see if that is even remotely possible.
The experts he's talking about, of course, are Irina and Daiyu (SIs) along with Commander (Cmdr.) Lance Baker and Commander (Cmdr.) Sofia Jimenez. Cmdr. Baker is currently in charge of forming an Uplink Squadron of F-77Bs. His current problem is that he doesn't have much experience in running a squadron much less setting one up from scratch. Cmdr. Jimenez has been assigned as his XO and outside of the two of them there are not other qualified F-77B pilots. The squadron doesn't even have an assignment of support enlisted personnel yet, but all those people are soon to report. He has been informed that a Captain Dan Jones has been assigned as Commander, Carrier Space Wing Seven which is what Cmdr. Baker's squadron falls under. So now he has a boss. But, before this happens, Commander Lance Baker got himself fired by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Yes, it seems that when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Johnson didn't like Lt Cmdr Baker's position that neither Irina or Daiyu could be made to do anything they didn't want to, especially help assist in creating new SIs for the Russians or the Chinese, he was fired. So, Baker was off relaxing on some rented beach front property when he met Captain Dan Jones. Captain Jones explained the President didn't like what the Chairman had done so he appointed a new Chairman who is none other than Admiral Jameson. This is the same Admiral that commanded the carrier Revenge when Baker had his first encounter with the aliens. The Admiral had gotten all four, Baker, Koslova, Jimenez, and Zhao, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He had also reinstated Baker to his former position as Squadron Commander. So, it was back to work for Lance.
And now the work gets real hard. The don't know when the aliens might come back, but in the meantime, he has a brand new squadron to standup. He needed department heads to run the various departments that made up the squadron. Most of those billets were manned by Lieutenant Commanders which the squadron just received a bunch reporting in. Problems started coming up immediately. These Lt. Cmdrs. were all very experienced and flyers of other spacecraft except for the F-77B. A few found it difficult to believe that Commander Lace Baker was actually their CO since he didn't have anywhere near their experience or time in the Navy. So, Cmdr. Baker will have some serious problems he'll need to fix.
Then the aliens return, but they once again fly through the Solar System to Tau Ceti. Baker's squadron eventually gets forward deployed so they can make an effort to attack any further incursions into the Solar System, but now they will go about collecting some of the wrecked alien spacecraft that had been created with the last battle was fought. Hopefully, they can reverse engineer some of the characteristics of the advanced alien fighters and apply them to the F-77B. While they can fight effectively as they are now, the aliens are always showing up with a mass of spacecraft so Earth needs to make the few spacecraft they have very, very capable. It's hoped that someone can come up with shields and improved engines for future starfighters. But, that's only for the future.
Then the aliens return again, only this time, that have a massive number of carriers. There is no way Cmdr. Baker's squadron can even put a dent in this amount of enemy space fighters. But, then things change. It's not what you'd expect so you're going to need to read the entire book.
I've almost decided to go ahead and start reading book 3, "Fangs Out", but no, I'm going to take a break and read something else for awhile, but I will get back to this series very soon. It's just that good!
One of which is to start forming a central world government. Yeah, that's kind of farfetched idea to our current way of thinking, but the President of the US doesn't feel that Earth can respond to this alien threat on a country-by-country basis. So he begins a dialogue with the Russian Prime Minister and the President of the People's Republic of China. Surprisingly, China agrees with the idea and then says they have a condition (well, more than one, but this is the BIG one). He wants a Synthetic Intelligence (SI) like Daiyu Zhao. The Russian also speaks up and says that they also will need their own SI or the agreement can never take place. We got to this point because neither of the current Synthetic Intelligences Daiyu Zhao or Irina Koslova want anything to do with their former countries. The USA has granted both entities asylum much to the dismay and disgust of both countries. Still, the President of the US says that he'll agree to help create their own SIs, but he'll have to consult with the experts to see if that is even remotely possible.
The experts he's talking about, of course, are Irina and Daiyu (SIs) along with Commander (Cmdr.) Lance Baker and Commander (Cmdr.) Sofia Jimenez. Cmdr. Baker is currently in charge of forming an Uplink Squadron of F-77Bs. His current problem is that he doesn't have much experience in running a squadron much less setting one up from scratch. Cmdr. Jimenez has been assigned as his XO and outside of the two of them there are not other qualified F-77B pilots. The squadron doesn't even have an assignment of support enlisted personnel yet, but all those people are soon to report. He has been informed that a Captain Dan Jones has been assigned as Commander, Carrier Space Wing Seven which is what Cmdr. Baker's squadron falls under. So now he has a boss. But, before this happens, Commander Lance Baker got himself fired by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Yes, it seems that when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Johnson didn't like Lt Cmdr Baker's position that neither Irina or Daiyu could be made to do anything they didn't want to, especially help assist in creating new SIs for the Russians or the Chinese, he was fired. So, Baker was off relaxing on some rented beach front property when he met Captain Dan Jones. Captain Jones explained the President didn't like what the Chairman had done so he appointed a new Chairman who is none other than Admiral Jameson. This is the same Admiral that commanded the carrier Revenge when Baker had his first encounter with the aliens. The Admiral had gotten all four, Baker, Koslova, Jimenez, and Zhao, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He had also reinstated Baker to his former position as Squadron Commander. So, it was back to work for Lance.
And now the work gets real hard. The don't know when the aliens might come back, but in the meantime, he has a brand new squadron to standup. He needed department heads to run the various departments that made up the squadron. Most of those billets were manned by Lieutenant Commanders which the squadron just received a bunch reporting in. Problems started coming up immediately. These Lt. Cmdrs. were all very experienced and flyers of other spacecraft except for the F-77B. A few found it difficult to believe that Commander Lace Baker was actually their CO since he didn't have anywhere near their experience or time in the Navy. So, Cmdr. Baker will have some serious problems he'll need to fix.
Then the aliens return, but they once again fly through the Solar System to Tau Ceti. Baker's squadron eventually gets forward deployed so they can make an effort to attack any further incursions into the Solar System, but now they will go about collecting some of the wrecked alien spacecraft that had been created with the last battle was fought. Hopefully, they can reverse engineer some of the characteristics of the advanced alien fighters and apply them to the F-77B. While they can fight effectively as they are now, the aliens are always showing up with a mass of spacecraft so Earth needs to make the few spacecraft they have very, very capable. It's hoped that someone can come up with shields and improved engines for future starfighters. But, that's only for the future.
Then the aliens return again, only this time, that have a massive number of carriers. There is no way Cmdr. Baker's squadron can even put a dent in this amount of enemy space fighters. But, then things change. It's not what you'd expect so you're going to need to read the entire book.
I've almost decided to go ahead and start reading book 3, "Fangs Out", but no, I'm going to take a break and read something else for awhile, but I will get back to this series very soon. It's just that good!
August 7, 2022
Have the aliens been kidnapping humans throughout time and cloning then?
The potential threat of the aliens leads the Earth to unite with Americans, Russians, and the Chinese forming a world government with other nations joining. However the Russians and Chinese will only do so if they get their own SIs. Baker therefore needs to persuade Irina and Dao to help create a Chinese and a Russian SI...
Meanwhile they attempt to obtain some of the alien ships to try and reverse engineer some of their weapons and shields. They are shocked to find that the pilots appear to be clones of humans lost in battle.
In addition they visit the planet where they previously ended up bombing the aliens and also the inhabitants. Again they appear to be humans...
A shocking twist at the end ( though alluded to earlier on) resets everything and flips it all on its head!
An entertaining read with only a few battles, but lots of back story and intrigue.....
The potential threat of the aliens leads the Earth to unite with Americans, Russians, and the Chinese forming a world government with other nations joining. However the Russians and Chinese will only do so if they get their own SIs. Baker therefore needs to persuade Irina and Dao to help create a Chinese and a Russian SI...
Meanwhile they attempt to obtain some of the alien ships to try and reverse engineer some of their weapons and shields. They are shocked to find that the pilots appear to be clones of humans lost in battle.
In addition they visit the planet where they previously ended up bombing the aliens and also the inhabitants. Again they appear to be humans...
A shocking twist at the end ( though alluded to earlier on) resets everything and flips it all on its head!
An entertaining read with only a few battles, but lots of back story and intrigue.....
September 12, 2022
OK story, not very likable characters, a bit slow.
First of all I like the premise of the story. SI living inside of space fighters, aviators jacking themselves in to the planes to get clearer and more cognizant effects from dog fighting. There are also aliens and The ongoing mystery of what they are truly after. The negotiations of earths superpowers and their plans within plans. there’s a lot to unpack in this book and series. I think too many story threads, don’t particularly care for the main character or any of the additional characters in the story as far as that is concerned. The story itself is the driver these characters could probably be killed and replaced by more likable people. Besides that I believe the story is moving too slowly. Will read the next book though to see how it progresses.
First of all I like the premise of the story. SI living inside of space fighters, aviators jacking themselves in to the planes to get clearer and more cognizant effects from dog fighting. There are also aliens and The ongoing mystery of what they are truly after. The negotiations of earths superpowers and their plans within plans. there’s a lot to unpack in this book and series. I think too many story threads, don’t particularly care for the main character or any of the additional characters in the story as far as that is concerned. The story itself is the driver these characters could probably be killed and replaced by more likable people. Besides that I believe the story is moving too slowly. Will read the next book though to see how it progresses.
July 20, 2022
I often worry about the second book in a series. Sometimes they suffer from a sophomore slump. This book did not. It took off right from the beginning with the training of the new squadron. Then moved onto geopolitical matters, and finally the space battles. As the first book, I found the Synthetic Intelligences to the the most interesting part. They add a level of character depth for all the other characters to play off of. And from a military aspect, it was nice to see Space Marines trying to operate on a foreign planet. In all, the book was witty and interesting with a good bit of scify to bring out the military aspects. 5 stars.
April 8, 2024
This book has one of the nicest covers I've ever seen. The narration as usual was good, although the narration for the antagonists in one chapter was quite funny, which I feel it shouldn't have been. The story is still fairly interesting, although I feel like it started repeating a little in this book. I have some complaints with how often the Author wrote the MC going through the story only for it to actually being the MC repeating it to others in a meeting; it kind of ruins all scale of threat.. and it's happened like three times.
Still, I enjoyed the SI plotline and the flying scenes.
3.5*
Still, I enjoyed the SI plotline and the flying scenes.
3.5*
August 9, 2022
Good Fun. Lots of Action
This is an interesting concept, that has been used before in slightly different ways. It is an enjoyable, if a little cheesy, romp that is both easy to read and enjoyable. The main protagonists are a tad too honourable and characterised from an American is best point of view to the red neck version of both the Russians and the Chinese. I had the ending guessed well before the end however, this a cracking and fun read and well worth a go. But, do not read it without trying the first in this series, it's predecessor, Uplink Squadron.
This is an interesting concept, that has been used before in slightly different ways. It is an enjoyable, if a little cheesy, romp that is both easy to read and enjoyable. The main protagonists are a tad too honourable and characterised from an American is best point of view to the red neck version of both the Russians and the Chinese. I had the ending guessed well before the end however, this a cracking and fun read and well worth a go. But, do not read it without trying the first in this series, it's predecessor, Uplink Squadron.
August 2, 2022
Anachronistic
This story has an interesting premise with an alien race trying to kick start human development. Sadly, the author seems to be stuck in a Cold War scenario. The Russians and Chinese are dastardly commies, the Europeans are hamstrung by socialism and oily the brave and noble Americans can save the world. Things like Mig 19s on an alien planet are just too silly for words.
This story has an interesting premise with an alien race trying to kick start human development. Sadly, the author seems to be stuck in a Cold War scenario. The Russians and Chinese are dastardly commies, the Europeans are hamstrung by socialism and oily the brave and noble Americans can save the world. Things like Mig 19s on an alien planet are just too silly for words.
November 26, 2022
It gets better and better
The first book in this series was really good and I was worried the 2nd might ‘struggle’ to build on the story rather just replicate it. I need not have worried as this one builds and builds to a crescendo that makes this an amazing story.
The characters are real, the story is pretty amazing and the plot goes from strength to strength.
Amazing story line and enjoyable theme.
The first book in this series was really good and I was worried the 2nd might ‘struggle’ to build on the story rather just replicate it. I need not have worried as this one builds and builds to a crescendo that makes this an amazing story.
The characters are real, the story is pretty amazing and the plot goes from strength to strength.
Amazing story line and enjoyable theme.
August 13, 2023
I liked the book but not as much book 1 in the series. (Probably 3.5 if I could). I didn’t see much advancement of the overall plot until the end, just a lot of new info about the recently discovered inhabited worlds, a little bit about the alien tech and very little that ties anything new together.
Just seemed to be more filler than substance.
Still looking forward the the next in the series. I like the premise, I like the characters.
Just seemed to be more filler than substance.
Still looking forward the the next in the series. I like the premise, I like the characters.
September 8, 2023
"Second Flight" fails to fulfill its potential, suffering from shaky science, plot holes, and a lack of logic. The story lacks consistent suspense and character development. Plot inconsistencies and rushed resolutions leave readers unsatisfied. While offering occasional excitement, it falls short of delivering a compelling narrative. Not recommended for a broader audience; consider other sci-fi options.
July 23, 2022
wordy like watching Lawrence of Arabionride in the desert for half the movie
This story could been half as long without all the over descriptive useless crap. This is my last one. One more unnecessary word like the story. 19 pages used to describe something that two or three would have sufficed
This story could been half as long without all the over descriptive useless crap. This is my last one. One more unnecessary word like the story. 19 pages used to describe something that two or three would have sufficed
July 31, 2022
Great follow up book
In book two of this series we find Baker back at the controls of his plane. Giving the task of training new pilots, and helping to join the two remaining SI's. The Russian and Chinese governments have demanded that they have their own. But will this come back to bite them all in the butt?
In book two of this series we find Baker back at the controls of his plane. Giving the task of training new pilots, and helping to join the two remaining SI's. The Russian and Chinese governments have demanded that they have their own. But will this come back to bite them all in the butt?
November 23, 2022
Slowly getting better
This space opera is growing on me. While I think it is still lacking in some 3-D thinking and carries standard US Navy doctrine in it, it’s well written as space yarns go. I finished it in just a couple of days, which is my gauge for how well something holds my interest.
This space opera is growing on me. While I think it is still lacking in some 3-D thinking and carries standard US Navy doctrine in it, it’s well written as space yarns go. I finished it in just a couple of days, which is my gauge for how well something holds my interest.
July 18, 2022
Bestseller flop
The synopsis really over did it in detail that ruined the experience, but the worst the story’s plotline was corny in surprise that I just lost all interest in this series.
The synopsis really over did it in detail that ruined the experience, but the worst the story’s plotline was corny in surprise that I just lost all interest in this series.
July 31, 2022
Add a little horror
Science fiction should always have a element of horror. Space is a cold unforgiving environment, and a good way to get under the readers skin is to shock them. They did that here, and it provides both mystery and a bit of discomfort.
Science fiction should always have a element of horror. Space is a cold unforgiving environment, and a good way to get under the readers skin is to shock them. They did that here, and it provides both mystery and a bit of discomfort.
August 14, 2022
Holy Sci-Fi military action stories!
This book is filled with surprises and military action! The authors keep you interested through the complete story with many plot twists and engrossing descriptions of action! Difficult to put the book down!
This book is filled with surprises and military action! The authors keep you interested through the complete story with many plot twists and engrossing descriptions of action! Difficult to put the book down!
Read
October 20, 2022Second Flight -- a different kind of mission!
A great series with plenty of action and unique characters. In this book the choices facing the squadron takes on a new, unexpected twist. Just who are these 'Overlords' and why are they everywhere they turn? Read Book 2 to find out.
A great series with plenty of action and unique characters. In this book the choices facing the squadron takes on a new, unexpected twist. Just who are these 'Overlords' and why are they everywhere they turn? Read Book 2 to find out.
November 16, 2022
Decent, but Mostly Fighting
Lots of battles, lots of losses, and for me, the motivation to continue was not there. I like the base storyline, the relationships and social backgrounds, but the continuing conflict eventually overshadowed the parts I liked.
Lots of battles, lots of losses, and for me, the motivation to continue was not there. I like the base storyline, the relationships and social backgrounds, but the continuing conflict eventually overshadowed the parts I liked.
July 20, 2022
An enjoyable read. There are a few twists that keep it interesting and not a generic space pilot story.
Will definitely read the next ine
Will definitely read the next ine
July 21, 2022
Good
Nicely done space opera, the actual Naval Aviator Experience of one of the authors, Chris Kennedy, shows. Lots of action and great technology development.
Nicely done space opera, the actual Naval Aviator Experience of one of the authors, Chris Kennedy, shows. Lots of action and great technology development.
August 6, 2022
Great work
Doing a great job expanding this new series and universe as we up the ante with more battles, worlds and space adventure at its best
Doing a great job expanding this new series and universe as we up the ante with more battles, worlds and space adventure at its best
September 14, 2022
SHADES OF HEINLEIN!!!
Nice to find an author who looks beyond the usual bang-bang-shoot'em up model! I'm curious as to how this plays out. On to the 3rd book!
Nice to find an author who looks beyond the usual bang-bang-shoot'em up model! I'm curious as to how this plays out. On to the 3rd book!
October 16, 2022
Space Navy
Move over Hornblower! There's a new Captain to revere. The additional power that SIs bring to the battle only add flair and drama.
Move over Hornblower! There's a new Captain to revere. The additional power that SIs bring to the battle only add flair and drama.
October 25, 2022
Fast paced.
A good space opera. Lots of action, with an original story line. Believable characters. A little light on science, but overall a good series.
A good space opera. Lots of action, with an original story line. Believable characters. A little light on science, but overall a good series.
January 31, 2023
That's me done with this series. Too many cliches for my liking.
February 16, 2023
Excellent story of first contacts and the battles that follow. Interesting personalities. First AIs
Used and these that can control and fight their fighter planes on their own.
Used and these that can control and fight their fighter planes on their own.
May 9, 2024
Good
July 26, 2024
Better than average, but still with holes and inconsistencies.
August 12, 2024
Top Notch Science Fiction!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews