The Guardsman: Book 2: Blood Debts
Blood Debts: A Thrilling Science Fiction Mystery
Blood Debts: In the vast Chroynos Stellar Hegemony, of Blood Debts, a deadly game of cat and mouse unfolds. Persephone, heiress to the empire, is on the run from an invisible threat. Her former protector, Samson, stripped of his rank and name, works as a private investigator while harboring deep feelings for the woman he’s sworn to protect. As they navigate a world of political intrigue, advanced technology, and hidden dangers, they must unravel a complex mystery that threatens not only Persephone’s life but the stability of the entire empire.
Get your copy of “Blood Debts” from R.G. Taark now and dive into this gripping sci-fi thriller!
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Additional Articles:
For fun or on special occasions we will publish articles or link to outside articles about stuff.
Well ‘Blood Debts’ is earned a few!
This article for Veterans Day was published to LinkedIn Pulse HERE. We touched on the more professional aspects of including veteran experiences in our work, while respecting those fellows with quality action!
If you would like something a little more informal and fun, we posted another version on X.com HERE that keeps things a little more light hearted.
Genera:
SciFi & Fantasy Genera Books: “The Guardsman” by R.G. Taark (Douglas A. Franklin) is a gripping military science fiction saga set in the expansive Chroynos Stellar Hegemony.
Thriller Genera Books: “Guardsman: Book 1: Honor of the Fallen” is a thrilling ride through a futuristic universe where mega-corporations control empires, and interstellar travel is the norm.
Mystery Genera Books: The story starts with a theft at the Research and Development Division, setting the stage for a high-stakes investigation of everything else going wrong.
Highlights from Blood Debts
A Universe of Intrigue
The Chroynos Stellar Hegemony spans fifteen hundred solar systems, ruled by the powerful Chroynos family. At the heart of this empire lies a fusion power monopoly and a complex web of political and familial relationships. The story introduces us to key players:
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Persephone: The last surviving child of the Chroynos family, now on the run from an unknown threat.
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Samson: Former Guardsman, stripped of his title and forced to work as a private investigator under the name “John Smith.”
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Phyllip and Celine Chroynos: Persephone’s parents, desperately trying to protect their last child.
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Thomys Prometheon: Phyllip’s best friend and Vice President of the Hegemony.
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Thanatyos Chroynos: Phyllip’s brother, managing internal operations and security.
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Kazimir: Persephone’s cousin, running defensive and foreign intelligence.
The Guardsman: Elite Protectors
The Guardsmen are the elite forces of the Hegemony, highly trained and respected:
“The Hegemony Military has a Ground Combat, Ground Support, and Naval component corporations that fight the wars and are controlled by the Chroynos family as majority shareholders ensuring the loyalty of the military corporations. They also use elite formations of ‘Guardsmen’ as quick reaction troops to support other units, but Guardsmen are all officers because of the decade and a half of training and schooling before their commission dates.”
A Deadly Threat Emerges
The story begins with a chilling revelation:
“Persephone’s mother and father, Celine and Phyllip Chroynos, have suffered the deaths of Persephone’s four older siblings and are painfully aware, in their hearts, that someone is trying to kill their last baby. Persephone’s one-time friend, personal confidant, and maid Angela turns on her, unleashing an extremely powerful, nanobot enhanced, horrifically armored and completely invisible sleeper agent.”
Samson’s Fall from Grace
Samson’s backstory is revealed:
“To start the first book Samson is disgraced and stripped of title, even stripped of his name and forced to carry the name of the empire’s most condemned: ‘John Smith’. He works for a private detective, hunting criminals on the run and investigating frauds.”
The Hunt for Persephone
As Persephone goes into hiding, her family desperately tries to locate her:
“Visibly infuriated to the point of incoherence, Phyllip ground out, ‘How! How in Hades … vast and overpopulated domain is this … reporter able to find my daughter and all our considerable intelligence assets are impotent to find that same one girl!?'”
Advanced Technology and Warfare
The story is set in a world of advanced technology, including:
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Fusion power reactors
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Faster-than-light travel
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Nanobot enhancements
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Stealth scout ships
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Gravity-based detection systems
Political Intrigue and Family Drama
The Chroynos family dynamics play a crucial role in the story:
“Celine snapped, ‘I recant my protection and subsequent defense of your feeble intellect Kazimir Chroynos. You are the ‘dumb shit’ my husband pointed out a moment ago. Persephone is Heiress to the Sovereign Corporate Empire. She is your Empress one day in the near future. And most important of all, she is your cousin and family.'”
The Guardsman Academy
The story provides glimpses into the rigorous training of future Guardsmen:
“The Chroynos Hegemony Guardsmen Academy’ had just seen him turn ten. Samson’s math, science and writing scores set him firmly in the top third of the class. Not at the honors marks yet, but secure to graduate this year.”
A Universe at War
The backdrop of interstellar conflict adds depth to the story:
“I think we have fought every engagement that the Hegemony has ever fought involving a battlecruiser class ship. I have gone back all the way to the first Hegemony CEO, under High-Commander Chroynos’ grandfather while the Hegemony was still forming.”
About the Author
Doug Franklin is a multifaceted individual: husband, father, US Army Combat Infantry Officer, serial entrepreneur, BJJ practitioner, social media Luddite, marketing, SEO & AdWords expert, math nerd with LSSBB & PMP certifications, and an occasional book scribbler. His diverse background brings authenticity and depth to the military and political aspects of “Blood Debts.”
Why Read Blood Debts?
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Immersive Sci-Fi World: Experience a richly detailed universe spanning hundreds of solar systems.
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Complex Characters: Follow the intertwining fates of Persephone and Samson as they navigate danger and intrigue.
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Political Thriller: Unravel the mysteries and conspiracies threatening the Chroynos Stellar Hegemony.
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Military Action: Witness high-stakes battles and advanced warfare techniques.
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Family Drama: Explore the complex relationships within the powerful Chroynos family.
Don’t miss out on this exciting science fiction mystery thriller. Get your copy of “Blood Debts” today and join Persephone and Samson on their perilous journey through the Chroynos Stellar Hegemony!
More Thrilling Adventures in Blood Debts
High-Stakes Space Battles
In “Blood Debts,” readers are treated to exhilarating space combat scenes that rival those of classic science fiction authors. The novel’s depiction of interstellar warfare is reminiscent of the tactical brilliance found in Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game” and the grand scale battles of David Weber’s Honor Harrington series.
The Warsong’s Prowess
The Guardsmen Flagship Warsong, under the command of a skilled Captain, showcases advanced technology and tactical superiority:
“I think we have fought every engagement that the Hegemony has ever fought involving a battlecruiser class ship. I have gone back all the way to the first Hegemony CEO, under High-Commander Chroynos’ grandfather while the Hegemony was still forming. The Navy Corporation had recorded some really nice fleet engagements under CEO Harold Chroynos. Those were some fun ones. There is just something exhilarating about a dozen capital ships with fifty battlecruisers and near a hundred and fifty little line ships buzzing around, our guns tearing hell out of a fleet half again our size.”
This level of detail and excitement in space combat scenes will appeal to fans of military science fiction and space operas.
Political Intrigue and Family Drama
The complex political landscape and family dynamics in “Blood Debts” are reminiscent of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” and George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. The Chroynos family’s internal conflicts and the larger political machinations create a rich tapestry of intrigue.
The Chroynos Family Power Struggle
The novel delves deep into the family’s internal conflicts:
“Visibly infuriated to the point of incoherence, Phyllip ground out, ‘How! How in Hades … vast and overpopulated domain is this … reporter able to find my daughter and all our considerable intelligence assets are impotent to find that same one girl!?'”
This scene highlights the tension within the family and the challenges they face in maintaining their power and protecting their own.
Blood Debts: Advanced Technology and Espionage
“Blood Debts” features cutting-edge technology and espionage elements that would appeal to fans of William Gibson’s cyberpunk novels and the high-tech spy gadgets found in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series.
Stealth Scout Ships and Detection Technology
The novel introduces advanced stealth technology and the methods to counter it:
“Scout ships have pissed me off my whole career. I hate things that I can’t see to kill so I’ve studied the little bastards for the first few months of my command. I hated the answer I got at the Navy Command Academy about them even more than not being able to see them.”
This focus on technological advancement and the cat-and-mouse game of detection adds layers of complexity to the story’s universe.
Character Development and Training
The novel’s approach to character development, particularly through training and education, is reminiscent of Robert A. Heinlein’s “Starship Troopers” and Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga.
The Guardsman Blood Debts Academy
The rigorous training at the Guardsman Academy shapes characters like Samson:
“Samson’s math, science, and writing scores set him firmly in the top third of the class. Not at the honors mark yet, but secure to graduate this year. Samson’s class was particularly fond of their female civilian fine arts instructor. As a result, the woman received high marks from all the class, and the class compared their positive comments to ensure that she remained at the academy year after year.”
This focus on character growth through education and training adds depth to the story and its characters.
Why You Should Buy “Blood Debts”
For Fans of Military Science Fiction:
If you enjoy the strategic depth of David Weber’s Honor Harrington series or the intense combat scenes in John Scalzi’s “Old Man’s War,” “Blood Debts” offers a fresh take on military science fiction. The novel combines advanced technology, tactical warfare, and the personal struggles of soldiers in a compelling narrative.
For Lovers of Political Intrigue:
Readers who appreciate the complex political landscapes in Frank Herbert’s “Dune” or the intricate family dynamics in Kevin J. Anderson’s “Saga of Seven Suns” will find “Blood Debts” a captivating read. The Chroynos family’s internal conflicts and their navigation of the larger political arena provide a rich backdrop for the story.
For Enthusiasts of Hard Science Fiction:
If you’re drawn to the technological speculation and scientific detail in Arthur C. Clarke’s works or Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy, “Blood Debts” offers a wealth of advanced concepts. From fusion power to faster-than-light travel, the novel explores cutting-edge technology within a believable future setting.
For Admirers of Character-Driven Narratives:
Fans of Lois McMaster Bujold’s character development or the personal growth arcs in Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game” will appreciate the depth of character exploration in “Blood Debts.” The novel follows characters like Samson and Persephone as they navigate personal challenges and grow into their roles.
For Aficionados of Epic Space Operas:
If you enjoy the grand scale and sweeping narratives of Iain M. Banks’ Culture series or Alastair Reynolds’ Revelation Space universe, “Blood Debts” offers a vast and richly detailed stellar empire to explore. The Chroynos Stellar Hegemony provides an expansive backdrop for epic adventures.
Don’t miss out on this thrilling science fiction adventure. Get your copy of “Blood Debts” today and immerse yourself in a world of interstellar conflict, advanced technology, and complex characters. Join Persephone and Samson as they unravel the mysteries threatening the Chroynos Stellar Hegemony and fight for their survival in this gripping tale of honor, duty, and redemption.
Books:
The Guardsman: Book 2 goes more deeply into the conflicts, murders, and scheming that typify dynastic wars both internally and internally. This story is still a science fiction mystery, intent on personal touch and experience to tell the story. This one is darker than the first because of the plots and evil done out among the stars.
I wrote this book in 2012, under the R.G Taark pen name, I believe I first published it in 2012.
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