Prime Directive

by Davis Bunn

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Pub Date 6 Jul 2021 | Archive Date 27 Jun 2021

Canongate Books | Severn House

Mystery & Thrillers | Sci Fi & Fantasy

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Description

Lieutenant Amanda Bostick is ordered to investigate why scientists on a distant outpost on the planet of Lorian are being murdered with no alarm raised.

"In the past ninety days, sixteen colonists have been murdered, and nobody thought to report it until now?"

When a number of scientists are mysteriously killed on an insignificant scientific outpost on the planet of Loria and no alarm is raised, Commander Rickets of the Galactic Space Arm (GSA) is angered that no one can explain why. Rickets orders Lieutenant Amanda Bostick along with two armed Guardians, Sergeant Hamoud and Corporal Nasim, to investigate.

All three have faced setbacks in their careers and time is against them: the GSA is demanding answers within ten days. But they have no idea what to expect as there are few reports on the planet.

Why are the scientists being killed? Is there more to the mission than first appears? Are the sentient Lorians who inhabit the planet more of a threat than the GSA realize?

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Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9780727850263
PRICE	US$28.99 (USD)
PAGES	192

Additional Information

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Featured Reviews

John P, Reviewer

T. Davis Bunn (https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author/davis-bunn/) is the author of more than 100 novels. Prime Directive was published in 2021. It is the 13th book I completed reading in 2023.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

Lieutenant Amanda Bostick of the Galactic Space Arm (GSA) uncovered evidence in reports of a series of deaths at the Lorian scientific outpost. When she brings this to the attention of her superiors, she is ordered to travel to Loria and investigate the 16 deaths in person.

To expedite her mission, Bostick is temporarily promoted to Major. Accompanying her will be two armed Guardians, Sergeant Hamoud and Corporal Nasim. It turns out that all three have experienced setbacks in their careers. This mission may be their last opportunity to put themselves back on track.

Their mission faces difficulties. They are given a ridiculously short time to complete the investigation, and there are some within the GSA that are looking for an excuse to take control of Loria and force the Arab Protectorate to fully submit to the Empire.

Hamoud and Nasim are from the independent Arab Protectorate. The only thing of value in the Loria system is the transit point to the Arab-Protectorate. The incidents at the scientific outpost may trigger action to force the Arab-Protectorate to formally join the Empire.

A further complication comes with the report that pirates are operating from a location close to Loria. Bostick and her team arrive in orbit around Loria and detect a spacecraft they believe to be a pirate vessel. Encounters with the scientists on the planet’s surface are strange. Clearly, they are hiding things from Bostick and her team.

Bostick quickly finds herself in the position of engineering an alliance to preserve peace in the region. Ultimately, she must determine why scientists are dying at the outpost. Bostick and her team risk their lives to resolve the problems to the acceptance of all concerned.

I enjoyed the 5.5 hours I spent reading this 192-page science fiction novel. The plot is woven with action, intrigue, and politics. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.2 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

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