
Gate Ghosts · Book 7 of 14
Deadly Gambits
Escalation is the watchword for the dangerous contest between the Imperium and the conclave. Executors seek the means to push the conclave out of the empire, and desperate measures are taken to design and construct new ships, which are armed with a terrible weapon.
Overview
Deadly Gambits
Escalation is the watchword for the dangerous contest between the Imperium and the conclave. Executors seek the means to push the conclave out of the empire, and desperate measures are taken to design and construct new ships, which are armed with a terrible weapon. Previously, Karcaton’s best minds created a powerful probe for the Imperium. The test produced more explosive energy than had been calculated.
Now the Imperium’s two most dominant executors want probes with even greater destructive capability. Their plan is to catch the conclave fleet unaware and teach the aliens an unforgettable lesson. At the same time, the conclave’s protectors are dissatisfied with Admiral Cordelia dedicating the entire fleet to the Jumanus system. In the SADEs’ kernels, progress against the empire has stalled, and they press Cordelia to disperse the fleet into Executor Grageth’s territory.
Meanwhile, the Helgart SADEs have identified an unusual energy signature in their dome’s operation. Their further efforts reveal that there are two more anomalies far out from Helgart and on the opposite side of the system from the Helgart-Kilmer anomaly. The scouts are given a Trident from Commander Tocknicka to investigate the anomalies. While one leads to an area of dead space, the second anomaly presents a surprise.
The scouts’ exit from the continuum puts them in the path of Krackus peacekeepers. But the peacekeepers have more to contend with than the conclave’s Trident.
Readers
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Book resources
Read a sample, or take the glossary with you.
The saga runs to a large cast across dozens of worlds. Every book has a free excerpt and its own glossary of characters, ships, races and places. No sign-up, no email.
FAQ
Deadly Gambits: questions readers ask
What is Deadly Gambits about?
Escalation is the watchword for the dangerous contest between the Imperium and the conclave. Executors seek the means to push the conclave out of the empire, and desperate measures are taken to design and construct new ships, which are armed with a terrible weapon. Previously, Karcaton’s best minds created a powerful probe for the Imperium.
Where does Deadly Gambits fall in the Earthers' saga?
Deadly Gambits is book 7 of 14 in the Gate Ghosts series, one of the four series that make up the Earthers’ saga. It follows Alien Intrigue and comes before Allied Enemies.
Do I need to read the earlier books before Deadly Gambits?
It reads best in order. Deadly Gambits is book 7 of the Gate Ghosts series and carries forward characters and events from the earlier books. The reading order page lays out the full saga.
Is Deadly Gambits available as an audiobook?
Yes. Deadly Gambits is available as an audiobook on Audible.
Can I read a sample of Deadly Gambits before buying?
Yes. A free excerpt is available as a PDF: download the excerpt. No email or sign-up required.
Is there a glossary for Deadly Gambits?
Yes. The saga has a large cast, several races and a lot of ship names, so each book has its own glossary of characters, places, ships and terms: download the glossary.
What formats does Deadly Gambits come in?
Deadly Gambits is published in e-book and audiobook. Print and e-book editions are sold through Amazon. The audiobook is on Audible.
Who wrote Deadly Gambits?
S. H. Jucha (Scott Jucha), author of the Earthers’ saga: forty-four science fiction novels across The Silver Ships, Pyreans, Gate Ghosts and Cercians, published by Hannon Books, Inc. More about Scott.