The Lost Relic

Lost Starship #17

by Vaughn Heppner

Captain Maddox is marooned on a harsh alien planet 6000 light years from Earth. He struggles alone, desperate to survive, knowing that failure will forever cost him his wife and daughter.

But there’s more at stake than Maddox’s life. In the planet is a relic of unimaginable power and the secret to the Builders’ demise. The Mastermind has sent Iris, his human lover, and a team of intelligent canine killers, to retrieve the relic for his greatness.

Here, in a strangely dampened star system, the crew of Victory faces its cruelest challenge, battling entities thousands of years old to end a war begun long ago.

THE LOST RELIC is book 17 in the Lost Starship series, a star-spanning saga of deadly space war and planetary struggles as told by millions-bestselling author Vaughn Heppner.

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook

439 pages, Paperback

Published December 30, 2022

About the author

You 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.

Reviews

[Mike Nemeth]

Capt. Maddox continues to live his best life. He's got a wife he loves and a daughter he adores. So why can't he relax and reap the benefits of his past deeds saving the universe and humanity over the course of 17 novels? Because he's Capt. Maddox. And because author Vaughn Heppner still has ideas. "The Lost Relic" delves into the beyond, so far from earth as to make the crew of the alien starship Victory nervous and alone when they tackle the latest adventure. The mysterious Mastermind appears to have rigged the events that led Starwatch to send him on the mission to recover what is thought to be invaluable alien technology. Of course, Maddox is hardly the only one after the tech. Mastermind sent his own crew after the device, which may or may not be on a planet that's guarded against any approach from space by a massive dampening device. Heppner gives the novel his usual setup. The mission is near impossible. Only the Di-Far, Maddox, has the audacity to track down the elusive super computer/relic. Like usual, he and his crew face certain death on many occasions. But somehow, like Kirk and Spock, he uses his wits and the skills of those around him to get out of trouble. This novel has a bit of a dark side. Maddox must face his fears, and some of his crew must deal with the trauma of their experiences. On top of that, Heppner again reveals his impressions of the dangers of artificial intelligence, even if it is 11,000 years old.

[Scott Jann]

This felt like a quick read, even though it really wasn't any quicker than the rest of the books, I'm not sure what that means. I don't care for how much the author has turned Meta into a 50s housewife when she was a strong warrior when she entered the series. The prayers are also a little annoying, does the author imply prayers are being answered and helping our heroes, not the di-far luck? Anyway, I thought I'd mention it, I enjoy the books enough that it's not a deal breaker, obviously, 17 books in, I enjoy the rest of the story and characters enough.

However with the current state of AI, I really had to reflect on the deification and engrams and smart computer magic in this book. Given where we're at currently, it really seems something like the cosmic computer would be impossible, you know, like the nexuses and builders, and a lot of this series.

[John Moore]

Enjoyable series

I happened to read some of the reviews. I found the negativity telling and untruthful. This series is a God read or many age groups. I've read most of Heppner's books and the creator is a central threadless most of them. This series does a nice job of advanced vocabulary without overburden to the reader. Learning a few new words per book is a God progression. Additionally the series shows both the possible advantage as dangers of AI. Being a programmer for 28 years, I find the story both interesting and imaginative. Many of the negative reviews I find interest has well, almost coordinated. Hmmm. All of Heppner's books are good reads in my opinion. I've read all of them. JWM

[Lee-sa Day]

One of my favorite series

I love every character in your books. They all contribute to making the story exciting and keeps me glued to my tablet. I often choose reading over sleeping because I am so invested in what is going to happen next. I don't want the series to end. Please keep writing these awesome books. You make my day every time I see a book with your name coming out. I believe I have read all the different genres you write and have loved every book I ever read by you. I read them all, war, biblical, sci fi, mystical.

[Stan Krajewski]

I couldn't even finish this book. The writing has gotten more and more basic throughout the series and this one that explains every little detail of every character nearly every time they are introduced (after 16 other books of introductions) is impossible to get through. Maddox just falling head over heals for everything his uncle says and it just "makes sense" and blah blah blah.. its stale. I think I got about 20% through and just couldn't do it anymore. I think this is it for this series for me.

[Michael Anthony Bush]

Enjoyable

The series is most entertaining. It has adventure that makes the books hard to put down. As a retired military veteran, there are items in the story, ways of doing things, that would not happen in a real human military starship. One of these things is allowing civilians to work on the bridge without military training. There were not enough bridge officers either. With that in mind, the story is very entertaining. I am looking forward to book 18.

[Tiffanyhenschel]

Excellent series

I have read all of the books in this series. I love how the characters have grown and aged. I don’t know how you keep coming up with such great story ideas but keep it up.

PS. This says it will post under a ladies name, however this was made by her husband who is the one reading the series! Thanks for the enjoyable reads!

[unknown]

Another great edition of the Lost Starship Series

Great read and a little bit different than some of the other stories. I like it when we have the characters together more, and especially having Meta as part of the crew. I'd like to see Maddox bring his family on the next book. Can't wait.

[Cynthia Slaughter]

Space military sci-fi

Maddox receives a call from his uncle on the Library Planet that results in Victory heading into the beyond once again. The Mastermind is targeting their archives and looking for a relic. They must find it first, whatever it is. This mission will push them all to the brink, if they can survive.

[Rick Nuss]

The continuing story of Maddox and the Victory crew.

I truly enjoy reading this series, always something new and exciting to keep me invested. The world created in this series is full of interesting characters and amazing situations. I can't wait to read the next book each time I finish reading the previous.

[Bob]

Another great book

This is sounding like a broken record , but Vaughn hits another home run with this book. The exploits of captain Maddox are always entertaining , and full of surprises. Poor guy never gets a break. I hope there is someone out there like him in the real world watching and waiting for the next mission.

[Julie Kuhn]

another mission clocked

Love the series. Love the characters! What’s going on with Meta though? Can’t blame her; she was just as involved with Star Watch as Maddox was and still is.
An ancient super power computer system is rather terrifying, especially given its evil demeanor.
Looking forward to next one.

[Daniel Otis]

Very satisfying series!

This is nice balance of tech, storey, action, mysteries, ancient ones, spacecraft. This authors books are always well put together and edited. He does excellent with alien worlds. I think I will re-read the series .

[Walter H. Gebhart]

Great characters developed.
High tension between Maddox and Meta. How about including his family in the next adventure. Develop the daughter as a new character with attributes from both Meta and Maddox?

[Kevin S. Crossett]

Just Only Gets Better

What can you say but another awesome book in the series. What will happen to Captain Maddox next and will he keep his promise to Galyan to reunite him with the remaining Adoks, and will the Mastermind seek revenge?

[Michael A Dibblee]

The lost relic

I enjoy the continuing saga with the same character sets. I also enjoy learning words that are not familiar. I also enjoy past events from our history that are mentioned . I like that Caption Maddox is religious and relys on God.

[rnagy]

Most exciting yet!

Book 17 of this series was so well written that it has become my favorite! Vaughn Heppner has an ability to capture the reader’s interest and continue a very exciting series worth many more sequels. I look forward to his next book in the series. Thank you.

[Kimberly Sparks]

Great read...

I love the lost starship series. I really enjoyed the characters and the story line in each book. They're always action packed.

[Edward Deren]

Always excellent series

Once again Captain Maddox has incredible adventures and again saves the galaxy. As usual a great read. Very entertaining and engaging. Bravo!

[Michael White]

Awesome

Another well told tale of the best kind. What
an adventure story. Can't wait for the next book. This is a great series. It would make a great movie series

[James Paterson]

lost starship series

I have followed capt Maddox and his team throughout the series and I have looked forward to each book with interest hopefully the series will continue

[Mr J D Coysh]

Another great book, hard to put down from the start.

Another good book in a great series, each book continues the story yet be different enough to stand alone. Well done Vaughn.

[veronica hasty]

Love thr series!

This is my favorite series. I really hope it continues as I would like to see what happens next! You should read it!

[Dragan Gaić]

I wasted my time on this book

[Michael Blair]

Another great one

I love this series. I do hope they dig further into the great war. Its seems it could drive many more stories.

[Kim Merriner]

pity the story ended

Followed the story enjoyed reading about Maddox and the crew would have liked a proper ending to many loose ends

[Keith]

The Lost Relic

Another excellent read!
But Nail Biting as this is usually where the toughest of challenges drops out of nowhere!

Bring it on, I say!

Bring on Number 18

[J. M. Ochetti]

Maddox is becoming a real man.

It's refreshing that our hero is beginning to realize that there's more to life than duty. As always ythe story line kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Thomas L. Mooney]

Slam Bam Science Fiction

I don't know where Vaughn Heppner gets his inspiration (or maybe I do) but if you're looking for pure Science Fiction fun you've found it...

[John Bernier]

Getting kind of ridiculous

The stories are getting to be more and more of a stretch as each of the books in the series continues.