Tech Assassins

C.A.D.S. #12

by John Sievert

High tech armored warriors fighting for America's Freedom after nuclear diaster.

Paperback

First published December 1, 1991

About the author

A pseudonym of Ryder Syvertsen

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the final book of a twelve-volume post-apocalyptic men's adventure series published from 1985 - '91 by Zebra. All of the books were published under the pseudonym John Sievert. The first one was written by Jan Stacy in collaboration with Ryder Syvertsen. Numbers two through eight were written by Syvertsen alone, and the final four were written by David Alexander. The series is set in the near future (around the turn of the millennium), the Russians have hit the Eastern half of the U.S. with nuclear bombs, and their invasion force has swept across the country. The last line of defense is Colonel Dean Sturgis and his cadre of C.A.D.S., which stands for Computerized Attack/Defense System, as we're told quite frequently. The C.A.D.S. are suits of weaponized armor that turn the wearers into super soldiers, but their numbers are low. Society disintegrates rapidly, and the C.A.D.S. troopers have to fight mad bands of rampaging rapists nearly as often as they oppose the godless commies. The series is unapologetically patriotic (this one is curiously dedicated to Saddam Hussein for reinvigorating the American military), and not at all what has become known as politically correct. The last few books were not as well plotted or written as the earlier ones, and quite a bit shorter. As always, this one has several over-the-top, but amusing bits of black humor interspersed with some rather gritty violent scenes, and lots of mayhem. The Russians attack with a big submarine and the C.A.D.S. respond. Overall, C.A.D.S. was a good survivalist/military-type adventure series of the time, but the last few books aren't up to par, and this last one just kind of limps along rather than wrapping anything up.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average apocalyptic adventure story. This one has the rebels using really cool computerized armor to fight with. Recommended

[Otis Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, I don't know much about these high-falutin' "Computerized Attack/Defense Systems" suits they're running around in—heck, the most advanced piece of metal on my ridge is a ’94 John Deere—but the boys in this book sure know how to raise some serious cane. They’re suited up like shiny metal beetles, running around a world that’s gone clean to total hell after the big bombs dropped, and they’re fixing problems the old-fashioned way: by blowing 'em sky-high. In this round, Sergeant Dean Mitchell and his high-tech hill-runners are up against "Tech Assassins." Sounds fancy, but it just means a bunch of lowdown, sneaky bushwhackers trying to catch our boys sleeping. Let me tell you, watching these armored suits trade lead is louder and faster than a copperhead strike in a dry brush pile. The action don't quit; it just keeps rolling like a runaway moonshine truck heading down a steep grade with no brakes. Is it deep literature? Heck no, it’s purer than well water and simpler than a turnip. You don't need a college degree to enjoy a bunch of high-tech suits turning bad guys into pink mist. It’s got that good old 1980s flavor—plenty of grit, plenty of gunpowder, and enough explosions to wake the dead three counties over. If you want to shut your brain pan off, kick your boots up on the porch rail, and read about some serious cybernetic thumping, grab a copy of Tech Assassins. It’s a hoot and a half!