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Uplink Squadron #5
Forge the Path
A major battle has been won. Now what?
A joint task force of humans and synthetic intelligences (SIs) has defeated the Overlord’s Fleet Twenty-Seven and peace reigns throughout the region surrounding Earth… for now.
But the Overlords are sure to return once they find out their fleet was destroyed, and they’ll be back with a strong enough force to ensure the Terrans don’t win a second time.
Commander Lance Baker and Commander Sofia Jimenez have a brief moment in time and space to come to terms with their allies, train new forces—including new SIs—and prepare for a battle which is sure to be bigger and more horrific than anything they’ve seen to this point.
Uplink Squadron has been successful to this point through a combination of skills and good luck, but the storm that’s coming will be strong enough to blow all of that away. Can Baker and Jimenez have Earth’s fleet ready in time, or will this be the end of everything they’ve been fighting for—including the Earth itself?
It’s time to plug back in and save the world.
A joint task force of humans and synthetic intelligences (SIs) has defeated the Overlord’s Fleet Twenty-Seven and peace reigns throughout the region surrounding Earth… for now.
But the Overlords are sure to return once they find out their fleet was destroyed, and they’ll be back with a strong enough force to ensure the Terrans don’t win a second time.
Commander Lance Baker and Commander Sofia Jimenez have a brief moment in time and space to come to terms with their allies, train new forces—including new SIs—and prepare for a battle which is sure to be bigger and more horrific than anything they’ve seen to this point.
Uplink Squadron has been successful to this point through a combination of skills and good luck, but the storm that’s coming will be strong enough to blow all of that away. Can Baker and Jimenez have Earth’s fleet ready in time, or will this be the end of everything they’ve been fighting for—including the Earth itself?
It’s time to plug back in and save the world.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2022
343 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 23, 2023
I got to book 5. The series is decent enough and has some real potential with some really cool ideas - if only they used those ideas creatively but the plot has become unimaginative and rote, the cliffhanger ending and repeatedly defeating increasingly impossible odds have me leaving the series here. I'm not interested in taking it further. I can only take seeing the entire squadron of fighters being decimated only for our main characters to make it through by the skin of their teeth and then come up with some way to defeat a force many times their size because they're the main character and they're the best at everything. It might be something if the way they defeat the problems were interesting and well thought out but it seems to usually just come down to stupid luck every time which makes it feel like the story is just so unbelievable... even for me. I even enjoy good brainless Marty Stu and Mary Sue character stories sometimes but this is just not enjoyable to read, it's just frustrating.
Don't even get me started on a space-faring monarchy civilization who have been fighting the bad guys for seemingly a very long time and yet they fight wars by parliamentary vote. Idiotically frustrating, selfish, and corrupt politicians forcing thousands to die for idiotically stupid reasons having no idea about how to run a war... Characters that are just deliberately frustrating and annoying for the sake of what? It adds nothing but distaste to the story to me.
Don't even get me started on a space-faring monarchy civilization who have been fighting the bad guys for seemingly a very long time and yet they fight wars by parliamentary vote. Idiotically frustrating, selfish, and corrupt politicians forcing thousands to die for idiotically stupid reasons having no idea about how to run a war... Characters that are just deliberately frustrating and annoying for the sake of what? It adds nothing but distaste to the story to me.
February 7, 2023
In the previous book, the combined efforts of the Terrans, Kardons, and Sontags defeated an Overlord fleet. Now they have three Overlord carriers that have been taken back to Earth to see what can be done with them. These carriers were manned by Overlord drones, five-thousand per carrier, plus a group of Overlord AI's that managed the ship and the drones. Although the drones are humans, they are nothing but clones with specific instructions on how to do specific jobs aboard the carrier. Now that the Overlord AIs are not in control, the drones are just standing around until they get put back in stasis. Apparently, the AIs kept human stock in stasis bring them out only when they needed something for the to do.
Earth has no way of immediately fully manning three carriers. President Harvey isn't keen on even letting SIs takeover the operation of these carriers since he doesn't really trust the SIs like Commander Lance Baker has done with Irina, his fighter pilot SI. Everyone knows the SIs could run the carriers and the Terrans can somewhat staff at least one of them which they do. They also put together a team of three SI that were formerly fighter pilot SIs so they know something about the military and combat. But, this new carrier, the USS Independence, needs to get operational very quickly. They have assigned numerous fighter squadrons which haven't worked together. Commander Jimenez has been assigned as one of the squadron commanders. The Admiral decides they need to get away from Earth to stop any Overlord attack before it can bombard the Earth itself. So, off they go while Commander Lance Baker is getting a slightly different assignment.
Lance is without a job for the moment, but after a quick meeting with Captain Dan Jones, his Wing Commander, he finds out that he's been assigned as Security Lead for a Presidential visit to Kardonia. That's not actually a flying position, but he will be able to take his fighter along with Irina, of course. The President wants to get this potential alliance with the Kardons and the Sontags going as quickly as possible. With the idea that an Overlord fleet might be coming to Earth, they need the protection the other two allies might be able to provide since they can't get the captured Overlord carriers fully manned in order to protect Earth. So, the forming of an alliance between the three alien races is paramount. Everything hinges on getting this done and the three allies joining together with all their assets to protect which planet is attacked first. It just so happens, that first attack doesn't come to Earth.
Meanwhile, one of the captured Overlord carriers has been assigned to orbit Earth with a crew that is in training. Unknown to them is the fact that an Overlord AI still remains onboard in stasis. He's activated and quickly takes over the ship. Now he has a fully armed, nuclear capable starship orbiting Earth while none of Earth's defenses are in place. Is this the end of Earth already?
In discussions with the President, who is still leery about the whole SI thing, Commander Baker pushes across the point that the Earth will need a lot more SIs to do the things that need done on any current or future starships they build. He proposes that a training program be established that will properly prepare new SIs and that they be granted the rights and privileges of any living human. Of course, most of this comes from Irina who I personally think has way to much influence over just about every thing! Anyway, a such a program has been going on in other countries and now will be adopted globally. The first class of about 125 new SIs is place aboard the carrier orbiting Earth. Unfortunately, when the AI was activated, he killed all the SIs by deleting their coding and then spaced all the humans aboard the ship. It did this without a thought to the lives it just erased.
So, when Commander Baker and Irina arrive back they were stuck training replacement SIs. Again, unfortunately, these SIs were a new batch of "volunteer" SIs. They had decided they no longer wanted to live in the physical body so had volunteered to be uplinked. Irina was shocked to find out that the three they had assigned to be the new controllers/operators of the carriers, had no prior military training whatsoever! She did the best she could to show and train them on their duties, but these assignments turn out to be deadly for the humans. The whole SI business is deadly and, in my opinion, has gone too far in making starship captains redundant on their own ships. They do not even have a way of shutting down the SIs for any reason so they are at the mercy of these people who seem to have an attitude that assumes they are superior to any human.
Irina is one SI particularly that has an attitude problem. She wants to be viewed as a digital human with all the rights of a living human, but when given an order she doesn't like, she argues to the point of not accepting anyone authority over her or begrudgingly does so. Simple fact is, there is not way to punish an SI for doing whatever they wanted and it shows in the latter part of this book. In order to save their own digital existence, they sacrifice humans with no more consideration than an AI would do. So, I think there is a serious flaw in this whole book about SI and the uplink idea. I, for one, would never want to work with an SI. Commander Lance Baker and everyone else that works with Irina are just ignorant to the fact that she is only out to protect herself and no one else.
Ok, so as you can see the story kind of stirred me up. It's a pretty good book, but I'm getting kind of tired listening to Irina and her attitude. Additionally, a lot of the actions can be predicted especially if some one is counting on a SI to do something they don't want to do. The story will continue in Book 6, "Heaven's Angels", but I'm not eager to read it.
Earth has no way of immediately fully manning three carriers. President Harvey isn't keen on even letting SIs takeover the operation of these carriers since he doesn't really trust the SIs like Commander Lance Baker has done with Irina, his fighter pilot SI. Everyone knows the SIs could run the carriers and the Terrans can somewhat staff at least one of them which they do. They also put together a team of three SI that were formerly fighter pilot SIs so they know something about the military and combat. But, this new carrier, the USS Independence, needs to get operational very quickly. They have assigned numerous fighter squadrons which haven't worked together. Commander Jimenez has been assigned as one of the squadron commanders. The Admiral decides they need to get away from Earth to stop any Overlord attack before it can bombard the Earth itself. So, off they go while Commander Lance Baker is getting a slightly different assignment.
Lance is without a job for the moment, but after a quick meeting with Captain Dan Jones, his Wing Commander, he finds out that he's been assigned as Security Lead for a Presidential visit to Kardonia. That's not actually a flying position, but he will be able to take his fighter along with Irina, of course. The President wants to get this potential alliance with the Kardons and the Sontags going as quickly as possible. With the idea that an Overlord fleet might be coming to Earth, they need the protection the other two allies might be able to provide since they can't get the captured Overlord carriers fully manned in order to protect Earth. So, the forming of an alliance between the three alien races is paramount. Everything hinges on getting this done and the three allies joining together with all their assets to protect which planet is attacked first. It just so happens, that first attack doesn't come to Earth.
Meanwhile, one of the captured Overlord carriers has been assigned to orbit Earth with a crew that is in training. Unknown to them is the fact that an Overlord AI still remains onboard in stasis. He's activated and quickly takes over the ship. Now he has a fully armed, nuclear capable starship orbiting Earth while none of Earth's defenses are in place. Is this the end of Earth already?
In discussions with the President, who is still leery about the whole SI thing, Commander Baker pushes across the point that the Earth will need a lot more SIs to do the things that need done on any current or future starships they build. He proposes that a training program be established that will properly prepare new SIs and that they be granted the rights and privileges of any living human. Of course, most of this comes from Irina who I personally think has way to much influence over just about every thing! Anyway, a such a program has been going on in other countries and now will be adopted globally. The first class of about 125 new SIs is place aboard the carrier orbiting Earth. Unfortunately, when the AI was activated, he killed all the SIs by deleting their coding and then spaced all the humans aboard the ship. It did this without a thought to the lives it just erased.
So, when Commander Baker and Irina arrive back they were stuck training replacement SIs. Again, unfortunately, these SIs were a new batch of "volunteer" SIs. They had decided they no longer wanted to live in the physical body so had volunteered to be uplinked. Irina was shocked to find out that the three they had assigned to be the new controllers/operators of the carriers, had no prior military training whatsoever! She did the best she could to show and train them on their duties, but these assignments turn out to be deadly for the humans. The whole SI business is deadly and, in my opinion, has gone too far in making starship captains redundant on their own ships. They do not even have a way of shutting down the SIs for any reason so they are at the mercy of these people who seem to have an attitude that assumes they are superior to any human.
Irina is one SI particularly that has an attitude problem. She wants to be viewed as a digital human with all the rights of a living human, but when given an order she doesn't like, she argues to the point of not accepting anyone authority over her or begrudgingly does so. Simple fact is, there is not way to punish an SI for doing whatever they wanted and it shows in the latter part of this book. In order to save their own digital existence, they sacrifice humans with no more consideration than an AI would do. So, I think there is a serious flaw in this whole book about SI and the uplink idea. I, for one, would never want to work with an SI. Commander Lance Baker and everyone else that works with Irina are just ignorant to the fact that she is only out to protect herself and no one else.
Ok, so as you can see the story kind of stirred me up. It's a pretty good book, but I'm getting kind of tired listening to Irina and her attitude. Additionally, a lot of the actions can be predicted especially if some one is counting on a SI to do something they don't want to do. The story will continue in Book 6, "Heaven's Angels", but I'm not eager to read it.
April 9, 2024
This one is tough for me to say, I feel like the end was a bit too ridiculous. WARNING kinda spoliery review but no actual hard details.
Nevermind the fact that I cannot believe a serious defence force would put THAT specific person through the process to become an SI. It makes legitimately no sense, it's peak scraping the barrel and when considering it's meant to be one of the more important ships in, when it's carrying the admiral?? Surely another SI could have been chosen or used, take a fighter one surely or another carrier.
Other than that I mean, the book wasn't that bad. Fairly alright, the politicking reached almost levels of absurdity though, I understand making the Blue party into seeming like the 'evil party' but it ruins credibility when they don't even face any fallback for actions. If they find out about the stuff that happened at the end I wouldn't be shocked if they manage to succeed in taking total power. They were fairly comprehendible in the last books but now it's pushing evil for the sake of being evil.
Some actions in this book just weren't explained in the detail they required to seem realistic or reasonable either
Characters are okay? I still like them but it's starting to feel the same as the last books. Although I suspect that'll change fast with the next book.
3.5*
Nevermind the fact that I cannot believe a serious defence force would put THAT specific person through the process to become an SI. It makes legitimately no sense, it's peak scraping the barrel and when considering it's meant to be one of the more important ships in, when it's carrying the admiral?? Surely another SI could have been chosen or used, take a fighter one surely or another carrier.
Other than that I mean, the book wasn't that bad. Fairly alright, the politicking reached almost levels of absurdity though, I understand making the Blue party into seeming like the 'evil party' but it ruins credibility when they don't even face any fallback for actions. If they find out about the stuff that happened at the end I wouldn't be shocked if they manage to succeed in taking total power. They were fairly comprehendible in the last books but now it's pushing evil for the sake of being evil.
Some actions in this book just weren't explained in the detail they required to seem realistic or reasonable either
Characters are okay? I still like them but it's starting to feel the same as the last books. Although I suspect that'll change fast with the next book.
3.5*
November 24, 2023
Forge the Path - Uplink Squadron Book 5
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Uplink Squadron is one of the best adventure, thriller series I've read. Book 5, Forge the Path, continues the great story of AIs, SIs, humans, and others as they continue to survive ongoing attacks by the Overlords. If this doesn't make sense, you may want to check out prior books in the series. The excellent writing of authors J.N. Chaney & Chris Kennedy will keep you turning pages, and if you're like me, hate when you get to the end. I immediately start looking for the next book in the series. To enhance your reading, I recommend this and any book where Mark Boyett is the narrator / performer. Few are as good. BTW, that next book is called Heaven's Angels, but as Anya might say, 'Don't get ahead of yourself. Read this book first!' -Mr.Bill
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Uplink Squadron is one of the best adventure, thriller series I've read. Book 5, Forge the Path, continues the great story of AIs, SIs, humans, and others as they continue to survive ongoing attacks by the Overlords. If this doesn't make sense, you may want to check out prior books in the series. The excellent writing of authors J.N. Chaney & Chris Kennedy will keep you turning pages, and if you're like me, hate when you get to the end. I immediately start looking for the next book in the series. To enhance your reading, I recommend this and any book where Mark Boyett is the narrator / performer. Few are as good. BTW, that next book is called Heaven's Angels, but as Anya might say, 'Don't get ahead of yourself. Read this book first!' -Mr.Bill
January 10, 2023
Interesting premise
Read the first 5 in the series back to back, so this is a review of all of them
It is an interesting premise. Thought controlled space fighters and human consciousness uploaded into computers
The whole concept is frought with the obvious dangers, AIs taking over, humans being anti AI, the whole lot and some I had never conceived of
Overall it is very well done, every book I rated 4*. The characters get better at the books progress, none of them are off limits to bad situations and the unexpected occurs frequently
Book 5 ends with a bit of a cliff hanger. Hoping book 6 continues at the same level
Read the first 5 in the series back to back, so this is a review of all of them
It is an interesting premise. Thought controlled space fighters and human consciousness uploaded into computers
The whole concept is frought with the obvious dangers, AIs taking over, humans being anti AI, the whole lot and some I had never conceived of
Overall it is very well done, every book I rated 4*. The characters get better at the books progress, none of them are off limits to bad situations and the unexpected occurs frequently
Book 5 ends with a bit of a cliff hanger. Hoping book 6 continues at the same level
September 11, 2023
Forge the Path continues the series with its trademark blend of action and drama. Following a major victory, Commander Lance Baker and Commander Sofia Jimenez face the daunting task of preparing for the Overlords' inevitable return. The story maintains its entertaining qualities, much like a TV soap opera, offering thrilling action and character development, despite occasional plot holes and unbelievable twists.
December 11, 2022
Another Successful Story
As the odds increase against the allies so does the size of the battles, with so many odds stacked against them then the action goes electric with a great sense of timing. An enjoyable read indicative of the series so far. With so many more events yet to happen then this looks to have a lot more books to follow.
As the odds increase against the allies so does the size of the battles, with so many odds stacked against them then the action goes electric with a great sense of timing. An enjoyable read indicative of the series so far. With so many more events yet to happen then this looks to have a lot more books to follow.
December 16, 2022
Great read
Another winner! New to space warfare, the humans find Allies with some of the same idiotic politicians who are more concern about their safety than those they serve. Compelling discussions about SI’s versus AI’s and what entitlements and restrictions should be imposed. Buckle up for a fast paced roller coaster ride!
Another winner! New to space warfare, the humans find Allies with some of the same idiotic politicians who are more concern about their safety than those they serve. Compelling discussions about SI’s versus AI’s and what entitlements and restrictions should be imposed. Buckle up for a fast paced roller coaster ride!
December 15, 2022
Great read though with some inconsistencies in plot lines but they can be easily forgiven due to the overall continued enjoyment. It isn't the last book though, I thought it was. The story continues.......
December 19, 2022
It's getting hard to fight
It's never easy for Lance and Irina. First they have to sort out the mess that they have with their allies. Then deal with all the new SI's that are coming online. But they are not trained to fight or deal with the death they will see.
It's never easy for Lance and Irina. First they have to sort out the mess that they have with their allies. Then deal with all the new SI's that are coming online. But they are not trained to fight or deal with the death they will see.
December 19, 2022
The SIs are turning into what we thought the AIs were self-centered
Strong characters, fierce battles and rogue SIs. Heroes and villains abound throughout the storyline. The question is who's a hero and who's a villain. It changes with every situation and every day.
Strong characters, fierce battles and rogue SIs. Heroes and villains abound throughout the storyline. The question is who's a hero and who's a villain. It changes with every situation and every day.
December 23, 2022
Overall I like this series but by the time I got to this book I felt that Anya had went off of the rails and too many other characters had died. Basically every book had to start a new squad except for a few people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
More of the same
Its like the authors took a favorite series from their youth and updated the pop culture references, counting on most readers to be too inexperienced with the genre to catch it.
Its like the authors took a favorite series from their youth and updated the pop culture references, counting on most readers to be too inexperienced with the genre to catch it.
December 13, 2022
What a ride!
What a ride! Action packed story and vthen some!! The story moves on in space has the terrans try to forge alliances and fight the enemy but will it be enough?
What a ride! Action packed story and vthen some!! The story moves on in space has the terrans try to forge alliances and fight the enemy but will it be enough?
December 20, 2022
another fun read
The saga of Baker and Irina continues and the stakes keep rising. This one has a major fleet battle that should not be missed.
The saga of Baker and Irina continues and the stakes keep rising. This one has a major fleet battle that should not be missed.
January 1, 2023
Book 5 in the series
Earth joins with two other planets to form an alliance for mutual support and protection against the Overlords. Lots of space battles. A great read.
Earth joins with two other planets to form an alliance for mutual support and protection against the Overlords. Lots of space battles. A great read.
January 17, 2023
Victory and disaster
The highs and lows of intergalactic warfare.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one.
The highs and lows of intergalactic warfare.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one.
April 14, 2023
Depressing
Series has lost its balance. Thirty-some chapters of losing battles makes me question if I’ll read the next book. Find some hope, authors!
Series has lost its balance. Thirty-some chapters of losing battles makes me question if I’ll read the next book. Find some hope, authors!
August 22, 2024
Top Notch Science Fiction!
Read
April 28, 2025continued to enjoy the series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews