Join me today for an interview with USA Today bestselling author, Dragon nominee, and award-winning journalist, Jeffery H. Haskell! He is the author of the massively popular Grimm’s Wars series. If you enjoy science fiction action stories set in space, be sure to check out this podcast!
Check out the excerpt from bk 1 in the series below:
Jacob resisted the urge to visit each station. What he was about to do was a time-honored tradition and he didn’t want to screw it up... especially since he had never even practiced it before.
He stood next to the captain’s chair and placed his thumb squarely on the reader to verify his identity. The ship’s computer linked to his NavPad and the device beeped, alerting him to his new orders.
He cleared his throat for a second, then pressed the button labeled “all hands,” activating every speaker on the ship. A sharp whistle filled the corridors. From ratings working maintenance to the men and women manning the MK III Fusion Reactor, all hands turned to the screen to see their new commander as he read himself in.
He held the NavPad out to Yuki, who glanced at it before placing her thumb on the reader to verify her receipt of the orders.
Then, he began:
“From the Office of the Chief Naval Officer and the desk of the President of the United Systems Alliance,
All who bear witness, know that, reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of Jacob T. Grimm, I do appoint him as master of the vessel bearing the hull number DD 1071, known as the United Systems Ship Interceptor. As such from the day these orders are read, this Officer will therefore carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the office to which appointed, by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. For the duration of his assignment, he shall be frocked as a Lieutenant Commander and treated with the respect of such rank.
And I do strictly charge and require those Officers and other personnel of lesser rank to render such obedience as is due an officer of this grade and position. And this Officer is to observe and follow such orders and directives, from time to time, as may be given by me, or the future President of the United Systems Alliance, or other Superior Officers acting in accordance with the laws of the United Systems Alliance.
This commission is to continue at the pleasure of the President of the United Systems Alliance for the time being, under the provisions of those Public Laws relating to Officers of the Armed Forces of the United Systems Alliance and the component thereof in which this appointment is made, that being the United Systems Alliance Navy.
Affirmed on the Capitol of Alexandria, this 30th day of July in the year of our Lord 2933, with power entrusted by the United Systems Alliance, Friends in Peace, Family in War.
Signed, Fleet Admiral Noelle Villanueva and President Johan Sebastian Axwell.”
Jacob turned the NavPad to the screen and the same orders he read were sent to every crew member’s instrument. He turned to Lieutenant Yuki and snapped to attention. She followed suit.
“Lieutenant Kimiko Yuki, I relieve you,” he said with more confidence than he felt.
“Commander Grimm, I stand relieved,” she replied formally.
He sat down in the captain’s chair, giddiness warring with fear as he leaned over the speaker. The line was still open and the crew listened.
“I want all hands to report current status to department heads by—,” he looked at the time readout on the single small MFD attached to the con. He’d been on Dagger time and he was disappointed to realize he’d have to add six hours to his day. “—eighteen hundred hours. Dismissed.”
He pressed the close-call button and turned the chair, which squeaked as he did so. Yuki stood stiffly, still at attention next to him, along with the bosun right behind her.
“XO, I think we’ll save any meetings until tomorrow when the rest of the crew can join us, don’t you think?” he asked.
Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he recognized the expression on her face. It was one he carried so often since Pascal: fear and doubt. She was concerned he was trying to trap her and he didn’t know how to belay those concerns until they got to know one another better.
“As the captain suggests, sir,” she said with a flicker of anger in her dark brown eyes."
The wrong crew. The wrong ship. The right Captain.
Idealistic navy lieutenant Jacob Grimm just wanted to honor his mother’s sacrifice in the last great war. When he’s forced to return fire and destroy a squadron of ships to save his own, he thinks he’s the hero…
Until they discover the ships are full of children.
Disgraced and denied promotion, Jacob’s career is over. That is until the head of ONI needs a disposable officer to command a battered destroyer on the rim.
There’s just one problem, Interceptor hasn’t had a CO in months and the ship is a mess. Worse, the system he’s assigned to is corrupt and on the verge of all-out civil war with the Alliance.
However, no one told Jacob he was disposable.
Pirates, smugglers, and Caliphate spies complicate the situation and one captain with an old ship can’t enforce the law, let alone stop anyone.
The single greatest discovery of all time is about to change intergalactic politics forever. If Jacob doesn’t find a way to succeed, then it won’t just be the end of the Alliance, it will be the end of freedom for humanity.
From USA Today bestselling author Jeffery H. Haskell comes a military science fiction epic in the tradition of Honor Harrington and Star Trek. If you love heroes and starships, you will love to stand with Commander Jacob T. Grimm Against all Odds. You’re in the Navy now!
Were you blown away by Haskell’s cover art? His talented wife did it!
Check out Rebekah Haskell’s amazing ebook cover art and premades at vividcovers.com and discover Why Your Blurb Sucks and more at rebekahaskell.com
Hinterspace Episode 6