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The Expanding Universe, Volume 8
Explore the universe… with the 8th Volume of The Expanding Universe
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C Clarke penned those words, and they stand true to this day. Do we want to be alone? Leave it to science fiction authors to address that question in equal measure.
Aliens can be peaceful or not. Who will emerge as the superior strain of intelligence? Humanity may be new to the game, but they aren’t new to conflict.
Fantastic races vying for dominance. A microcosm of the greater good. Battles fought for higher ideals. Battles fought just to survive.
War doesn’t care about human or alien. The soldiers fight, and they fight hard, as if their lives depend on it.
Because they do.
Contributing Authors and Stories:
Remora Alien by Lawrence M. Schoen
An immortal assassin must consider if he is still human
To Catch a Thief by Mark Henwick
Stranded on an icy moon in the remote and lawless Frontier, merchanter Sam must sup with the devil to get her spaceship repaired, and she’s all out of long spoons.
The Rule of Belief by Kelly Curtis
NASA chose me to assess how people would react to the news there is life on other planets; to my surprise the aliens chose me too.
Finders Keepers by Jerry Shepard
A quick score leads to more than they bargained for
Genetic Dust by E.L. Strife
A rescue mission leaves a security officer stranded and unveils a secret that could turn the tide of an ancient war.
The Darenti Incongruity by Julia Huni
When Lieutenant Nate Kassis gets trapped on an alien planet, he discovers something that will change the galaxy—if he gets back to his team.
Down to the Bone by Jonathan P. Brazee
When stripped of her military tech, can a wounded combat engineer survive an enemy killer bot?
For the world Is hollow… by Craig Martelle
A story of two scientists seeking a single truth.
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C Clarke penned those words, and they stand true to this day. Do we want to be alone? Leave it to science fiction authors to address that question in equal measure.
Aliens can be peaceful or not. Who will emerge as the superior strain of intelligence? Humanity may be new to the game, but they aren’t new to conflict.
Fantastic races vying for dominance. A microcosm of the greater good. Battles fought for higher ideals. Battles fought just to survive.
War doesn’t care about human or alien. The soldiers fight, and they fight hard, as if their lives depend on it.
Because they do.
Contributing Authors and Stories:
Remora Alien by Lawrence M. Schoen
An immortal assassin must consider if he is still human
To Catch a Thief by Mark Henwick
Stranded on an icy moon in the remote and lawless Frontier, merchanter Sam must sup with the devil to get her spaceship repaired, and she’s all out of long spoons.
The Rule of Belief by Kelly Curtis
NASA chose me to assess how people would react to the news there is life on other planets; to my surprise the aliens chose me too.
Finders Keepers by Jerry Shepard
A quick score leads to more than they bargained for
Genetic Dust by E.L. Strife
A rescue mission leaves a security officer stranded and unveils a secret that could turn the tide of an ancient war.
The Darenti Incongruity by Julia Huni
When Lieutenant Nate Kassis gets trapped on an alien planet, he discovers something that will change the galaxy—if he gets back to his team.
Down to the Bone by Jonathan P. Brazee
When stripped of her military tech, can a wounded combat engineer survive an enemy killer bot?
For the world Is hollow… by Craig Martelle
A story of two scientists seeking a single truth.
190 pages, Paperback
Published September 18, 2022
14 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Craig Martelle
324 books7,875 followersVisit Craig's web page, craigmartelle.com for the latest posts and updates or find him on Facebook, Author Craig Martelle. Send an email to craig@craigmartelle.com to join his mailing list for the latest on new releases, information on old releases, and anything related to his books.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 24, 2022
Excellent sci fi anthology
The worldbuilding in every story is fantastic. A couple of stories are somewhat grim but end optimistically. I laughed out loud while reading Huni and Martelle's stories: the Darenti and Weed are hilarious. Special mention goes to Mark Henwick for To Catch A Thief, the opening episode of his new sci fi serial, which had me biting my nails until the final period. All in all, Expanding Universe is a fabulous collection of stories, and I will be buying it to reread.
The worldbuilding in every story is fantastic. A couple of stories are somewhat grim but end optimistically. I laughed out loud while reading Huni and Martelle's stories: the Darenti and Weed are hilarious. Special mention goes to Mark Henwick for To Catch A Thief, the opening episode of his new sci fi serial, which had me biting my nails until the final period. All in all, Expanding Universe is a fabulous collection of stories, and I will be buying it to reread.
October 14, 2022
Great collection of science fiction space operas
Great collection of science fiction space operas. I especially liked the character of the priest in The Rule of Belief. I think that would make a great novel.
Great collection of science fiction space operas. I especially liked the character of the priest in The Rule of Belief. I think that would make a great novel.
February 14, 2023
nice variety of stories
This is good example of work from new writers. Always enjoy different styles and genre of sci-fi . This has several writers I am going to follow up on.
This is good example of work from new writers. Always enjoy different styles and genre of sci-fi . This has several writers I am going to follow up on.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews