Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
JACK CAMPBELL
“Black Jack, as a man out of time, is an excellent character, and this series is the best military SF I’ve read in some time.”
—GeekDad
Praise for
THE LOST FLEET: RELENTLESS
“This exhilarating, action-packed outer-space military thriller will remind the audience of the battles in Star Wars.”
—Midwest Book Review
THE LOST FLEET: VALIANT
“Fast paced and enjoyable . . . Readers who enjoyed David Weber’s Honor Harrington books, Ian Douglas’s Space Marines [novels], or Walter Hunt’s Dark Wing series should also enjoy this series.”
—SFRevu
“The series is military SF, rigorously extrapolated in the classic tradition of hard SF. The laws of physics and the effects of relativity govern the battles and shape the action, while military virtues and ideals like honor and courage shape the conduct and personalities of the more admirable characters . . . Jack Campbell does a good job of fulfilling the requirements of both military SF and hard SF in The Lost Fleet: Valiant, and the novel will please fans of both forms.”
—Sci Fi Weekly
“Will grip the audience . . . Black Jack is a fascinating hero . . . Fans will appreciate the fourth Lost Fleet tale.”
—Alternative Worlds
“Refreshingly well written with no pretensions to be anything more than it is—lively adventure.”
—Critical Mass
“This wonderfully well-plotted story is strongly reminiscent of the old Hornblower novels, featuring exciting and believable battles with the fascinating addition of military tactics. The story brings back the true meaning of romance and captures the spirit of strong men and women facing unimaginable odds with courage and honor. It carries you along on the adventure, and you’re eager to go where it takes you.”
—Romantic Times
THE LOST FLEET: COURAGEOUS
“Definitely recommend[ed] to people . . . [who] thoroughly enjoy military science fiction and probably some people who would just enjoy a good military story.”
—BSCreview
“It’s almost nonstop action and conflict . . . Jack Campbell does an excellent job with the space battles . . . It’s a hallmark of his talent in this arena that he can coordinate such large battles and make them both exciting and coherent, so that even someone without a military background of [his] own can follow and enjoy the action . . . The Lost Fleet is some of the best military science fiction on the shelves today, and Courageous doesn’t disappoint in the least. I’ll eagerly be awaiting the next installment in the series.”
—SF Site
THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS
“Straightforward, solidly written military space opera . . . It’s all good fun, and Campbell has actually given some thought to the problems of combat in space.”
—Critical Mass
“Another satisfying [Campbell] cocktail to slake the thirst of fans who like their space operas with a refreshing moral and intellectual chaser . . . The Lost Fleet deserves to find a home on your bookshelf.”
—SF [http://Reviews.net] Reviews.net
“A great and gripping read. It’s a fast-paced roller coaster of action and intrigue, with realistic characters and situations.”
—TCM Reviews
THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS
“A rousing adventure.”
—William C. Dietz, author of At Empire’s Edge
“Jack Campbell’s dazzling new series is military science fiction at its best. Not only does he tell a yarn of great adventure and action, but he also develops the characters with satisfying depth. I thoroughly enjoyed this rip-roaring read, and I can hardly wait for the next book.”
—Catherine Asaro, Nebula Award-winning author of Diamond Star
“Black Jack Geary is very real, very human, and so compelling he’ll leave you wanting more. Jack Campbell knows fleet actions, and it shows . . . [The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is] the best novel of its type that I’ve read.”
—David Sherman, coauthor of the Starfist series
—Elizabeth Moon, Nebula Award-winning author of Oath of Fealty
“[Dauntless] should please many fans of old-fashioned hard SF.”
—Sci Fi Weekly
“Readers will admire and like [Geary], who believes in honor, teamwork, and civilized behavior . . . This is a hard military-science novel with space battles out of Star Wars. The battle scenes are so intricately described that readers will be able to visualize them . . . A fast-paced but intricate story line and fully developed charac ters turn this novel into a fun reading experience. Fans of David Weber, Elizabeth Moon, and Peter F. Hamilton will find The LostFleet: Dauntless thoroughly enjoyable.”
—SFRevu
“This is an amazing piece of military science fiction writing, with a protagonist who is remarkable and memorable . . . Campbell writes well. Period. The book flows well, with an excellent mix of action and philosophical debate . . . Overall, this is just a plain good read, with memorable characters and scenes, and a writing style that is aimed at people who like to think and ponder while enjoying the action. Bravo.”
— [http://Rambles.net] Rambles.net
“The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is well written, with a hero who’s all too human and battle weary. There’s much here that will remind readers of Battlestar Galactica . . . The battles are well-done, but it’s the characters who drive the story.”
—Fresh Fiction
“[Campbell’s] space operas [seek] to add new layers to the conventions of military SF.”
—SF [http://Reviews.net] Reviews.net
“Lots of fun, and I devoured it in a day. I can’t wait for the sequel.”
—The Weekly Press (Philadelphia)
“Campbell’s book takes a sharp look at military discipline (and the lack thereof) in wartime . . . engaging and interesting.”
—Romantic Times
Ace Books by Jack Campbell
THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS
THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS
THE LOST FLEET: COURAGEOUS
THE LOST FLEET: VALIANT
THE LOST FLEET: RELENTLESS
THE LOST FLEET: VICTORIOUS
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THE LOST FLEET: VICTORIOUS
An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY Ace mass-market edition / May 2010 Copyright © 2010 by John G. Hemry.
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To Paul Parsons,
a man of great enthusiasms,
a great mind, and a great heart,
all of which he shared in abundance
with the many who will miss him.
For S., as always.
I remain indebted to my agent, Joshua Bilmes, for his ever-inspired suggestions and assistance, and to my editor, Anne Sowards, for her support and editing. Thanks also to Catherine Asaro, Robert Chase, Chuck Gannon, J. G. (Huck) Huckenpohler, Simcha Kuritzky, Michael LaViolette, Aly Parsons, Bud Sparhawk, and Constance A. Warner for their suggestions, comments, and recommendations. Thanks also to Charles Petit for his suggestions about space engagements.
THE ALLIANCE FLEET
ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET JOHN GEARY,
Commanding
As reorganized at Varandal Star System prior to offensive actions against the Syndic home star system.
Ship names in bold are those lost in action since Geary assumed command, with the name of the star system of their loss given afterward.
THIRD FAST FLEET AUXILIARIES DIVISION
Titan
Tanuki
Witch
Jinn
Alchemist
Goblin (lost at Heradao)
THIRTY HEAVY CRUISERS
IN SIX DIVISIONS
(Thirty-seven when Geary first assumed command,
minus sixteen lost in battle, plus nine
reinforcements at Varandal)
First Heavy Cruiser Division
Third Heavy Cruiser Division
Fourth Heavy Cruiser Division
Fifth Heavy Cruiser Division
Eighth Heavy Cruiser Division
Tenth Heavy Cruiser Division
losses
Invidious (lost at Kaliban)
Cuirass (lost at Sutrah)
Crest, War-Coat, Ram, and Citadel (lost at Vidha)
Basinet and Sallet (lost at Lakota)
Utap, Vambrace, and Fascine (lost at Lakota II)
Armet and Gusoku (lost at Cavalos)
Tortoise, Breech, Kurtani, Tarian, and Nodowa (lost at Heradao)
Lorica (lost at Padronis)
Kaidate and Quillion (lost at Varandal)
FIFTY-TWO LIGHT CRUISERS
IN TEN SQUADRONS
(Sixty-two when Geary first assumed command,
minus twenty-two lost in battle, plus twelve
reinforcements at Varandal)
First Light Cruiser Squadron
Second Light Cruiser Squadron
Third Light Cruiser Squadron
Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron
Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron
Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron
Ninth Light Cruiser Squadron
Tenth Light Cruiser Squadron
Eleventh Light Cruiser Squadron
Fourteenth Light Cruiser Squadron
losses
Swift (lost at Kaliban)
Pommel, Sling, Bolo, and Staff (lost at Vidha)
Spur, Damascene, and Swept-Guard (lost at Lakota)
Brigandine, Carte, and Ote (lost at Lakota II)
Kote and Cercle (lost at Cavalos)
Kissaki, Crest, Trunnion, Inquarto, Intagliata, and Septime
(lost at Heradao)
Estocade, Disarm, and Cavalier (lost at Varandal)
ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DESTROYERS
IN EIGHTEEN SQUADRONS
(One hundred eighty-three when Geary first assumed
command, minus forty-seven lost in battle,
plus fourteen reinforcements at Varandal)
First Destroyer Squadron
Second Destroyer Squadron
Third Destroyer Squadron
Fourth Destroyer Squadron
Sixth Destroyer Squadron
Seventh Destroyer Squadron
Ninth Destroyer Squadron
Tenth Destroyer Squadron
Twelfth Destroyer Squadron
Fourteenth Destroyer Squadron
Sixteenth Destroyer Squadron
Seventeenth Destroyer Squadron
Twentieth Destroyer Squadron
Twenty-first Destroyer Squadron
Twenty-third Destroyer Squadron
Twenty-seventh Destroyer Squadron
Twenty-eighth Destroyer Squadron
Thirty-second Destroyer Squadron
losses
Dagger and Venom (lost at Kaliban)
Anelace, Baselard, and Mace (lost at Sutrah)
Celt, Akhu, Sickle, Leaf, Bolt, Sabot, Flint, Needle, Dart,
Sting, Limpet, and Cudgel (lost at Vidha)
Falcata (lost at Ilion)
War-Hammer, Prasa, Talwar, and Xiphos (lost at Lakota)
Armlet, Flanconade, Kukri, Hastarii, Petard,
and Spiculum (lost at Lakota II)
Flail, Ndziga, Tabar, Cestus, and Balta (lost at Cavalos)
Barb, Yatagan, Lunge, Arabas, Kururi, Shail, Chamber,
Bayonet, and Tomahawk (lost at Heradao)
Serpentine, Basilisk, Bowie, Guidon, and Sten
(lost at Varandal)
SECOND FLEET MARINE FORCE
Major General Carabali commanding (acting)
1,420 Marines divided into detachments on battle cruisers and battleships.
ONE
HE had faced death many times and would cheerfully do so again rather than attend this briefing.
“You’re not going to face a firing squad,” Captain Tanya Desjani reminded him. “You’re going to brief the Alliance grand council.”
Captain John Geary turned his head slightly to look directly at Captain Desjani, commanding officer of Geary’s flagship, the battle cruiser Dauntless. “Remind me again of the difference.”
“The politicians aren’t supposed to be carrying weapons, and they’re more afraid of you than you are of them. Relax. If they see you this tense, they’ll believe you really are planning a coup.” Desjani made a face. “You should know that they’re accompanied by Admiral Otropa.”
“Admiral Otropa?” Geary had literally been out of the loop for a century, so his knowledge of current officers was limited to those in the ships of the fleet itself.
Desjani nodded, somehow investing the simple gesture with disdain that obviously wasn’t aimed at Geary.
“Military aide to the grand council. Don’t worry about the grand council trying to hand command of the fleet to him. No one would accept Otropa the Anvil as fleet commander in place of you.”