SESG EXPLORER

Crew members on a diplomatic mission from Earth discover they should beware of invitations in Loric’s debut SF thriller.

Naval Rear Admiral Kevin Brannigan has been contemplating retirement, wishing to spend more time with his understanding wife, MaryAnne. But a fateful phone call summoning him to the Pentagon soon dashes that fantasy. He learns that an old friend has nominated him to lead a space expedition to make contact with an alien race. An invitation broadcast by the extraterrestrial Kammorrigans has already raised suspicions, as the directions they provided for a hyperspace drive is lacking steps. Fortunately, combining previous research and the Kammorrigans’ schematics enables scientists to build such a working drive. Rather than responding directly to the aliens’ broadcast, military leaders decide instead to drop in on the Kammorrigans unannounced. Brannigan uses his power as leader to beef up the expedition’s diplomatic corps, but there are nuclear weapons on board the ships … just in case. The lengthy journey to the aliens’ home world is eventful as the crew learn to master the hyperspace drive while battling pirates and space monsters along the way (“Suddenly every motion sensor they had went off at the same time as several strange creatures of multiple sizes and shapes came bounding towards them”). In his debut novel, the author exploits an intriguing premise: There is somebody out there, and they’re attempting to get in touch with us. Loric doesn’t quibble with such questions as ‘How did they throw together a hyperspace drive?’ or ‘How can they afford to send a fleet across the universe?’ He deserves kudos for coming up with an alien species that’s not even remotely humanoid in the Kammorrigans. However, this novel reads like 252 pages of set-up for a new series: Here’s the protagonists, here’s the villain, here’s the concept. Still, Loric does an admirable job of drawing readers into this intriguing new world where his series will be set.

This debut work proves to be an often captivating if predictable trip through space.