Published: Sep. 06, 2010
Words: 47,806 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452339337

Short description

It was supposed to be a simple mission. Take the squad of Space Marines out, wait for them to check on the outpost, and head back home. The reality, however, has proven to be much more unsettling. The shuttle has vanished, stranding them all. The Marines, including hard charger Sergeant Renquist, are now looking at the young and inexperienced pilot, Airman Douglas, for answers he does not have.

Extended description

Inspired by the movie version of Starship Troopers, Aliens, and Stephen Crane's classic civil war drama, The Red Badge of Courage, I present the science fiction novella Non-Retrieval. This is a story about survival on an alien planet, centering on a young shuttle pilot who unexpectedly finds himself surrounded by a small group of battle-hardened Space Marines, and quite possibly, with hostile beings from another world as well. Left completely out of his element, this young man has precious little time in which to make critical life and death decisions, not only for himself, but also for the rest of the soldiers. In order to survive, he will have to adapt to his surroundings faster than he ever has before...

Roaches

Like a plague they descended, dropping into the midst of the unprepared and frightened soldiers as dozens of bouncing, pummeling cannonballs. Plasma fire whines across the battlefield as skittish fingers pump on smoothly gliding triggers, hitting the alien creatures’ h.. (Read more) Inspired by the movie version of Starship Troopers, Aliens, and Stephen Crane's classic civil war drama, The Red Badge of Courage, I present the science fiction novella Non-Retrieval. This is a story about survival on an alien planet, centering on a young shuttle pilot who unexpectedly finds himself surrounded by a small group of battle-hardened Space Marines, and quite possibly, with hostile beings from another world as well. Left completely out of his element, this young man has precious little time in which to make critical life and death decisions, not only for himself, but also for the rest of the soldiers. In order to survive, he will have to adapt to his surroundings faster than he ever has before...

Roaches

Like a plague they descended, dropping into the midst of the unprepared and frightened soldiers as dozens of bouncing, pummeling cannonballs. Plasma fire whines across the battlefield as skittish fingers pump on smoothly gliding triggers, hitting the alien creatures’ hard shells and deflecting the lethal beams in all directions, including back among our own troops. Howls of pain erupt from the mouths of mortally wounded men, only slightly eclipsed by the orders from their commanding officers.
Through it all, the balled-up insects roll toward where the concentration of soldiers is at its thickest. Then, displaying an uncanny and unnerving sense of synchronicity, the tumbling balls halt all at once and begin to unfurl. Their trademark clicking commences, a combination of sharp screeches and disconcerting snaps that causes involuntary winces and fuels an instinct of panic in some of the Marines. This noise, of course, serves to briefly stun the troops, as half a dozen jet-black limbs telescope from the rising monstrous bodies. Their two thick and thorny legs lift them to nearly an equal height as the men, and two pairs of arms simultaneously uncurl and clasp together, as if the creature were uttering some dark prayer. For a brief moment, a split second, it seems as if nothing is happening, until the first shockwaves hit.
Death comes quickly to the innermost circle of gawking and gaping spectators, as invisible beams of intense heat immediately incinerate or explode their bodies. The after-effects of the assaults consume a second row of the tightly grouped soldiers, bursting their hair and clothes into flames, and melting their hard plastic weapons in their grips. A high percentage of the frontline infantry, whether through panic or injury, or even simple confusion, is rendered ineffective.

(Partial notes recovered during the aftermath of the War on Betelren Six, Space Corps Outpost 02-27. The author’s identity is not known, and the date is Tuesday, January 20, 2060. This is the date of first contact.)

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Tags

adventure, military, fantasy, science fiction, aliens, space, war, army, roaches, marines

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Reviews

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Review by: Mike Lee on July 16, 2011 :
I enjoyed this story, enough that I wish the author had made it last a little longer. The pace is pretty fast, you will want to read it in one sitting. I will read this author again, and recommend others try him out. This was much better than average on the "free" list... much better.
(review of free book)

Review by: David Briggs on April 17, 2011 :
Earth is at war with the disgusting “Roaches”, an outpost falls unexpectedly silent, a “crack” squad of Space Marines is sent to investigate with a “rookie” Second Officer as part of the Transport Crew. They get trapped on a strange planet and have to fight their way out of a hopeless “Non-Retrieval” situation. Sound familiar? It should! Openly borrowing from “Starship Troopers” (Robert Heinlein), “Aliens” (Ridley Scott) and “The Red Badge of Courage” (Stephen Crane) the story is a gung-ho shoot 'em up set on a distant planet in the not-so-distant future. Look out for the indigenous vegetation though. Enjoy as a short novella!
(review of free book)

Review by: Carolyn Blake on April 11, 2011 :
Aliens and alien planets at their best! I could not put this one down...read it cover to cover in one sitting. Strong characters, vivid descriptions and tense action. Definitely put this one in your library, and I'm off to search for more by this author.
(review of free book)

Review by: John Spencer on Dec. 28, 2010 :
Excellent story, well paced and an interesting read. Recommended.
(review of free book)

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