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The Traveler #6
The Science of Mu
Where are the women? We want women.
Jake Bayard led tormented Neanderthals in a successful slave revolt on the planet Garm. But when the Corporation owners fled, they took all the women with them.
The Neanderthals are blaming Bayard for their lack of mates, and every day that passes is making the lonely brutes angrier.
Bayard needs a solution fast or his former friends are going to string him up.
He decides to risk a raid onto Saddoth where millions of Ophidians eat and keep herds of meat Neanderthals. He can only take nine with his traveling power—nine to free nubile females for the Neanderthals of Garm.
That’s only the first of Bayard’s difficulties, in this, the culminating book that uncovers the ancient mystery of Mu and a conspiracy that has spanned seven thousand years.
THE SCIENCE OF MU is the sixth tale of a gung-ho Terran who takes on all comers so you can remain free.
Jake Bayard led tormented Neanderthals in a successful slave revolt on the planet Garm. But when the Corporation owners fled, they took all the women with them.
The Neanderthals are blaming Bayard for their lack of mates, and every day that passes is making the lonely brutes angrier.
Bayard needs a solution fast or his former friends are going to string him up.
He decides to risk a raid onto Saddoth where millions of Ophidians eat and keep herds of meat Neanderthals. He can only take nine with his traveling power—nine to free nubile females for the Neanderthals of Garm.
That’s only the first of Bayard’s difficulties, in this, the culminating book that uncovers the ancient mystery of Mu and a conspiracy that has spanned seven thousand years.
THE SCIENCE OF MU is the sixth tale of a gung-ho Terran who takes on all comers so you can remain free.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2023
80 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Heppner
146 books570 followersYou can visit Vaughn at www.vaughnheppner.com
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 17, 2026
the more of these books I have read in this series the dumber I realize it is.
I would not be surprised if the author saw his nephew coloring picture of cavemen riding dinosaurs and took that picture and made this entire series.
some gems from my highlights
That made us at least as close as any two breed of dogs, rather than let us say a horse and donkey that produced an infertile mule.
(I guess Jake has to wear protection with his cave woman lovers)
I wondered if they were like the Indians of old in America who’d had an over- fondness for whiskey.
(yeesh this didn't age well)
They were red- skinned, much as I imagined the Iroquois in early America had been.
(I guess we are doubling down on racism here)
One man vomited. Another voided his bowels upon the sand. None ran away. To do so was to die.
(good advice!)
And they’d demand the prettiest women for captives to use in the best way that Vikings would,
(I am glad his racism is not only towards native Americans)
He made me look small and I’m a big boy. He was the big boy here.
(who's a big boy?)
Huh, the Draconians were like the American Indians who’d gone crazy for whiskey.
(let's hit that racist note again!)
gave him a lobotomy, as I’m sure he’d never expected.
(nobody expects the Spanish lobotomy!)
I would not be surprised if the author saw his nephew coloring picture of cavemen riding dinosaurs and took that picture and made this entire series.
some gems from my highlights
That made us at least as close as any two breed of dogs, rather than let us say a horse and donkey that produced an infertile mule.
(I guess Jake has to wear protection with his cave woman lovers)
I wondered if they were like the Indians of old in America who’d had an over- fondness for whiskey.
(yeesh this didn't age well)
They were red- skinned, much as I imagined the Iroquois in early America had been.
(I guess we are doubling down on racism here)
One man vomited. Another voided his bowels upon the sand. None ran away. To do so was to die.
(good advice!)
And they’d demand the prettiest women for captives to use in the best way that Vikings would,
(I am glad his racism is not only towards native Americans)
He made me look small and I’m a big boy. He was the big boy here.
(who's a big boy?)
Huh, the Draconians were like the American Indians who’d gone crazy for whiskey.
(let's hit that racist note again!)
gave him a lobotomy, as I’m sure he’d never expected.
(nobody expects the Spanish lobotomy!)
May 30, 2025
In "The Science of Mu," the sixth in his Traveler series, author Vaughn Heppner sends his planet hopping protagonist Jake Bayard into yet another situation on a planet with historical relevance to the fabled Harmony of Planets. The secrets and mysteries only grow deeper the closer Jake gets to finding answers to his many questions. Jake's come off a string of victories, helping neanderthals throw off the yoke of slavery. His quest is to find a bunch of hormonal males some mates, one that proves more difficult than he thinks. But he does find an ally and some powerful weapons. Yet, the challenges seem to increase exponentially. And the consequences continue to make everything Jake does more difficult. Former friends turn against him, and the strength of the opposition just appears to increase. The tale just shows that Heppner's imagination has few limits. Jake continues to grow as a character, evolving from a self-righteous Marine to a herald of civilization and fair play. I took a break so I have something to read as I recover from heart surgery next week.
January 30, 2024
Another Great Modern Edgar Rice Burroughs Style Story
This is a great addition to the series and finally introduces us to more about Mu, as the title suggests, but much more. Continues very much in the John Carter of Mars or Pelucidar tradition, but with a modern touch. Well done and looking eagerly for the next installment!
For those of you considering this series, it is a fantastic one - Mr. Hepner’s best, in my opinion. Well worth your time if you love adventure and science fiction that borders on fantasy but with an attempt at hard science explanations for fantastical elements. Great range of species and creatures, an overarching origin story and even some gentleman-adventurer romance (John Carter style).
This is a great addition to the series and finally introduces us to more about Mu, as the title suggests, but much more. Continues very much in the John Carter of Mars or Pelucidar tradition, but with a modern touch. Well done and looking eagerly for the next installment!
For those of you considering this series, it is a fantastic one - Mr. Hepner’s best, in my opinion. Well worth your time if you love adventure and science fiction that borders on fantasy but with an attempt at hard science explanations for fantastical elements. Great range of species and creatures, an overarching origin story and even some gentleman-adventurer romance (John Carter style).
June 22, 2023
I've all the previous books in this series. In the first couple of books I was a little annoyed with the main character in that he seemed a bit stupid, but always seemed to come through using either brute force / determination and/or smarts. The authors imagination for the storyline is great which kept me reading throughout. The main character is a bit more tolerable as I'm probable just use to him or the author has built the character up a bit more than the beginning. All in all its a good set of stories that will keep you turning the pages :-)
September 2, 2023
Weak finale of a pretty good series
The final book of the Traveler series was a minor disappointment to me. I felt that the author just wanted to get the story over with no matter how many odd and seemingly unrelated items he had to loosely fit together. Amazingly Vaughn Heppner did a better than average job doing this. Though there were many instances that I thought oh no this is too much. I just had to continue reading tower how he would tie it all together, d I recommend you do the same
The final book of the Traveler series was a minor disappointment to me. I felt that the author just wanted to get the story over with no matter how many odd and seemingly unrelated items he had to loosely fit together. Amazingly Vaughn Heppner did a better than average job doing this. Though there were many instances that I thought oh no this is too much. I just had to continue reading tower how he would tie it all together, d I recommend you do the same
September 13, 2023
The traveler books are a great read. Book 6 cements the traveler universe.
If you like science fiction and military books you might enjoy this unusual story. I know I did and I have read the cream of the best authors and stories from the last 20 plus years.
Let me also say the authors style also reminds me of high fantasy books.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book and the whole series.
If you like science fiction and military books you might enjoy this unusual story. I know I did and I have read the cream of the best authors and stories from the last 20 plus years.
Let me also say the authors style also reminds me of high fantasy books.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book and the whole series.
June 24, 2023
great read. it did wrap up rather quickly. however I’d read a few more of the series. Thank you
Great read. It did wrap up rather quickly. The main character had lots of depth so I’m not positive how much growth there is left. However I would enjoy seeing both main character and his supporting continue to thrive.
I’d read a few more of the series. Thank you
Great read. It did wrap up rather quickly. The main character had lots of depth so I’m not positive how much growth there is left. However I would enjoy seeing both main character and his supporting continue to thrive.
I’d read a few more of the series. Thank you
November 22, 2023
Excellent Reading Well Worth Your Time!
The “Traveler” series is a very imaginative tale that only gets better with the turning of each page. The books were hard for me to put down. I’m a fan of this series and hope the author continues on with its characters and story!
The “Traveler” series is a very imaginative tale that only gets better with the turning of each page. The books were hard for me to put down. I’m a fan of this series and hope the author continues on with its characters and story!
June 24, 2023
great series
Great merging of fantasy and mythical lore
Well written and flowed well thru the plot
Look forward to more
Keep it coming
Great merging of fantasy and mythical lore
Well written and flowed well thru the plot
Look forward to more
Keep it coming
July 8, 2023
Love the possibilities that exist!
The series is a great read that builds to a satisfying point... I certainly hope the adventure continues and we get to learn what comes next!
The series is a great read that builds to a satisfying point... I certainly hope the adventure continues and we get to learn what comes next!
July 11, 2023
keep going
Definitely would like to see this story continue. Fun read, interesting concepts. I really enjoyed this series so far. Thank you.
Definitely would like to see this story continue. Fun read, interesting concepts. I really enjoyed this series so far. Thank you.
October 20, 2023
Great Story
This is a new and interesting twist on old stories. I found it very enjoyable to read. Worth the read.
This is a new and interesting twist on old stories. I found it very enjoyable to read. Worth the read.
October 24, 2023
Great story
This is a great series with interesting ideas and plot twists. I hope this series continues to go on. Jake is awesome character.
This is a great series with interesting ideas and plot twists. I hope this series continues to go on. Jake is awesome character.
October 25, 2023
Great Story!
Loved every minute of the novel. Just too abrupt ending! We need more! I highly recommend this book to anyone.
Loved every minute of the novel. Just too abrupt ending! We need more! I highly recommend this book to anyone.
March 22, 2024
The series is a great reas
The idea of log ago selective breading to bring about a change of how the universe should or could be to help mankind forge a path into the future.
The idea of log ago selective breading to bring about a change of how the universe should or could be to help mankind forge a path into the future.
January 24, 2026
A decent place to finish the story, but there's plenty of room for sequels still.
December 29, 2024
Your best series yet, don't stop! Eagerly awaiting more!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews