OLD GUNS

In Chaney and Smith’s SF novel, when the military faces a threatening alien species, they turn to retired veterans who’ve dealt with the extraterrestrials before.

Martin Kelvin is enjoying a peaceful, late-22nd-century retirement on a planet in the Lort System that humanity now calls home. He’s suddenly reactivated around the same time as his former friend Frank Cage; 15 years earlier, the two gunnery sergeants were involved in a tragic incident that killed Frank’s family and shattered his friendship with Martin. Now, the military needs them for their rare expertise—Martin and Frank have twice encountered the Hollow, mysterious, incredibly dangerous alien beings who sport tendrils and a “silvery, fluid form.” They’re initially brought in just to train a “hastily assembled unit,” but when there are signs of the Hollow moving on planet Galean, Martin and Frank join the squad’s mission. The goal is to gather intelligence about the mysterious Hollow; for example, when they “merge” with humans (often lethally), are they trying to communicate? The Marines are prepared to battle the Hollow with plasma guns…that might be able to take the aliens down. Chaney and Smith’s gruff dual protagonists are an unmitigated delight—they’re as different (Martin is more levelheaded than Frank, who’s probably an alcoholic) as they’re alike (both live with beloved dogs who tag along on the mission). The two are immersed in a compelling stellar setting as they land on Galean during a massive electrical storm. Taut action sequences punctuate the unwavering suspense; the Hollow are unpredictable and the squad gradually loses members. Readers get answers to some of the mysteries surrounding the alien species, although the ending clearly sets the stage for a sequel. This volume also includes a solid prequel novella, titled The Gauntlet, that takes place back when humans were still searching for a stable route to the Lort System and recounts the protagonists’ first run-in with the Hollow.

Irresistible heroes headline this action-packed, immensely entertaining story.