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First Command #3
Trinity
Humanity balances on the cusp of extinction.
The Coven Empire is preparing one final push to penetrate Fleet lines and invade the inner planets. What follows will be servitude, suffering, and death.
Cole Jackson and his small crew of misfits are trapped behind enemy lines, frantically trying to cobble together functioning starships while avoiding enemy patrols. It’s Fate that sees Jackson resurrect Freedom, the ship where he was first posted but now a derelict relegated to the military scrapyard. Using stolen alien technology, they seize a Coven prison colony and rescue captured Fleet personnel.
Jackson receives word that Fleet is ready to launch one final Hail Mary; a taskf orce equipped with a revolutionary new weapon. But first they must learn the location of the Coven Home World and only Jackson is in position to gather that intel.
Commanding a small fleet of salvaged vessels, Jackson ventures deep into Coven space. The human race is running out of time, and it’s up to him to find the Coven planet and rally the remnants of the task force in a last gasp attempt to defeat the aliens and save mankind.
Book 3 of a science fiction thrill ride about a crew of young soldiers mustering the courage to fight back against both a vicious alien enemy, and the terrifying void of being stranded in space. It's perfect for fans of Daniel Gibbs, J.N. Chaney, and Vaughn Heppner!
The Coven Empire is preparing one final push to penetrate Fleet lines and invade the inner planets. What follows will be servitude, suffering, and death.
Cole Jackson and his small crew of misfits are trapped behind enemy lines, frantically trying to cobble together functioning starships while avoiding enemy patrols. It’s Fate that sees Jackson resurrect Freedom, the ship where he was first posted but now a derelict relegated to the military scrapyard. Using stolen alien technology, they seize a Coven prison colony and rescue captured Fleet personnel.
Jackson receives word that Fleet is ready to launch one final Hail Mary; a taskf orce equipped with a revolutionary new weapon. But first they must learn the location of the Coven Home World and only Jackson is in position to gather that intel.
Commanding a small fleet of salvaged vessels, Jackson ventures deep into Coven space. The human race is running out of time, and it’s up to him to find the Coven planet and rally the remnants of the task force in a last gasp attempt to defeat the aliens and save mankind.
Book 3 of a science fiction thrill ride about a crew of young soldiers mustering the courage to fight back against both a vicious alien enemy, and the terrifying void of being stranded in space. It's perfect for fans of Daniel Gibbs, J.N. Chaney, and Vaughn Heppner!
585 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2025
306 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Michael Simon
6 books48 followersMichael Simon is an award-winning Canadian author and physician, specializing in science fiction, military science fiction and fantasy. His “First Command“ and “Extinction“ series will be published in 2025. In addition to these 5 novels, Michael has a large repertoire of published short stories, medical articles, and travel logs.
To support his writing addiction, Michael works as a Family Physician on Canada's East Coast. He is a member of the Physician Advisory Board for The Medical Post and a Health Columnist for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio. Outside working hours, Michael enjoys spending time with his growing family and playing hockey, where he can, occasionally, still put the puck in the net.
To support his writing addiction, Michael works as a Family Physician on Canada's East Coast. He is a member of the Physician Advisory Board for The Medical Post and a Health Columnist for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio. Outside working hours, Michael enjoys spending time with his growing family and playing hockey, where he can, occasionally, still put the puck in the net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 14, 2025
It finished strong!
April 30, 2025
fantastic space opera!
Great story, engaging characters. Villanous aliens. Courageous humans. This three part series had me reading late into the night! Highly recommend this book
Great story, engaging characters. Villanous aliens. Courageous humans. This three part series had me reading late into the night! Highly recommend this book
April 29, 2025
Very good series.
I enjoyed this whole series very much. It is well thought out and well balanced. The action is good and believable.
I enjoyed this whole series very much. It is well thought out and well balanced. The action is good and believable.
April 27, 2025
Best read in a long time
Could not wait to go from one book to the next. Always seemed to have one more trick to keep the alive. Really enjoyed it and strongly recommend if you like space adventures.
Could not wait to go from one book to the next. Always seemed to have one more trick to keep the alive. Really enjoyed it and strongly recommend if you like space adventures.
April 26, 2025
Next book Seat belts
How many scenes do have crew sliding slipping out of seats in combat, all those engineers and they could come up with a restraint system? Great action but crew flying all over every battle was getting annoying.
How many scenes do have crew sliding slipping out of seats in combat, all those engineers and they could come up with a restraint system? Great action but crew flying all over every battle was getting annoying.
November 3, 2025
If you want a military science fiction book that allows the humans to do exactly what’s needed to win, then this is the book for you. Lieutenant Cole Jackson and his crew managed to escape the planet Raziel Prime but the fight with the Coven isn’t over although they at least are stuck on the planet. Now on the orbital space station, Jackson and his crew need to find some way of getting back to human space. They also still need to do their part in the war with the Coven.
As usual, Jackson’s crew start scrounging around and manage to find a tachyon receiver that allows them to listen to the message traffic in their area of space. Meanwhile, his engineering crew is working hard to resurrect any ship in this drifting junkyard they find themselves in. There are a number of ships that have been through the war and were almost completely destroyed or deemed unworthy of trying to fix. But, that doesn’t stop Jackson’s Chief Engineer, Sergei, from doing the impossible, it just takes him a little time. They actually did find a surprising discovery and that was the *Freedom*, a ship they have previously patched together and got back to Earth with but it was useless as were these other ships or pieces of ships.
But, since Jackson and Sergei were very familiar with the *Freedom* they decided that it would be put back together with parts and pieces of this floating junkyard and they would then fly back to Earth. Except that couldn’t happen. There was no way a ship in such sad shape could manage to break through the Coven lines. As it stood, the *Freedom* had no shields and very little weapons, a couple of lasers and maybe a jury-rigged torpedo room.
Meanwhile, Earth forces are losing the war. The Coven have just about wiped out human space forces and are now massing for a final attack in the Solar System which would eventually lead them to landing on Earth. They had already taken numerous humans as slaves and were shuffling them back to prison bases in Coven territory. The Coven were driven by an Emperor who was viewed as a God. All they did was for him and nothing would stop them from following his orders.
Jackson’s communications people eventually got a message back to Earth HQ and they gave him his orders. He was to find the Coven homeworld. The humans had built a new type of missile that could destroy a planet, but they only had a few of them and they were loosing ships by the dozens. Since Jackson was already behind enemy lines, then he was in the best position to scout around to find the Coven homeworld. They didn’t realize how bad his ship was and that his crew was exhausted. Yet, Jackson won’t let humanity down. He sets out to do some very remarkable things just at the right time.
A lot of what he and his crew accomplish should be shear fantasy. You can’t built a starship out of scrap and expect it to survive the rigor of space, fight in a deadly space combat and outrun ships far faster than itself. But, that’s almost exactly what happens in this book. The *Freedom* and her crew won’t die. They are bound and determined to assist the Earth’s finally attempt to locate and destroy the planet that holds the Coven Emperor. It’s believed that once he dies, the rest of the Coven will turn on themselves in a bloody civil war and ignore all the other aliens species if they don’t try to attack them. Cole Jackson knows this is what will happen since he managed to capture a complete history of the Coven from one of their derelict ships in the junkyard.
Jackson not only joins in the fight against the Coven once again in a barely taped together ship, but he manages to free some human prisoners on one of the prison planets used by the Coven. This gives him a few more engineers and crew members to get the bigger mission done. He’s also given two of the Earth planet-buster missiles via drones shot into space, but he’s only able to capture one. Now he has to figure out where the Coven’s home planet might be and if it’s heavily defended, how to defeat those defenses. Earth has put together their last armada of about ninety ships and they are going to strike directly at the hear of Coven territory, but Cole Jackson has to tell them where the Emperor’s home planet is and if he can, send a missile in to destroy that planet.
You’ll be hanging on to the edge of your seat as you read about this final mission. It doesn’t appear that Cole Jackson, his crew nor his ship can survive what must happen. Surprisingly, there will be a fourth book, “Fourth Wave”, that won’t be available until 12 May 2026. We have to wait awhile to find out what really happens to these amazing humans.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
As usual, Jackson’s crew start scrounging around and manage to find a tachyon receiver that allows them to listen to the message traffic in their area of space. Meanwhile, his engineering crew is working hard to resurrect any ship in this drifting junkyard they find themselves in. There are a number of ships that have been through the war and were almost completely destroyed or deemed unworthy of trying to fix. But, that doesn’t stop Jackson’s Chief Engineer, Sergei, from doing the impossible, it just takes him a little time. They actually did find a surprising discovery and that was the *Freedom*, a ship they have previously patched together and got back to Earth with but it was useless as were these other ships or pieces of ships.
But, since Jackson and Sergei were very familiar with the *Freedom* they decided that it would be put back together with parts and pieces of this floating junkyard and they would then fly back to Earth. Except that couldn’t happen. There was no way a ship in such sad shape could manage to break through the Coven lines. As it stood, the *Freedom* had no shields and very little weapons, a couple of lasers and maybe a jury-rigged torpedo room.
Meanwhile, Earth forces are losing the war. The Coven have just about wiped out human space forces and are now massing for a final attack in the Solar System which would eventually lead them to landing on Earth. They had already taken numerous humans as slaves and were shuffling them back to prison bases in Coven territory. The Coven were driven by an Emperor who was viewed as a God. All they did was for him and nothing would stop them from following his orders.
Jackson’s communications people eventually got a message back to Earth HQ and they gave him his orders. He was to find the Coven homeworld. The humans had built a new type of missile that could destroy a planet, but they only had a few of them and they were loosing ships by the dozens. Since Jackson was already behind enemy lines, then he was in the best position to scout around to find the Coven homeworld. They didn’t realize how bad his ship was and that his crew was exhausted. Yet, Jackson won’t let humanity down. He sets out to do some very remarkable things just at the right time.
A lot of what he and his crew accomplish should be shear fantasy. You can’t built a starship out of scrap and expect it to survive the rigor of space, fight in a deadly space combat and outrun ships far faster than itself. But, that’s almost exactly what happens in this book. The *Freedom* and her crew won’t die. They are bound and determined to assist the Earth’s finally attempt to locate and destroy the planet that holds the Coven Emperor. It’s believed that once he dies, the rest of the Coven will turn on themselves in a bloody civil war and ignore all the other aliens species if they don’t try to attack them. Cole Jackson knows this is what will happen since he managed to capture a complete history of the Coven from one of their derelict ships in the junkyard.
Jackson not only joins in the fight against the Coven once again in a barely taped together ship, but he manages to free some human prisoners on one of the prison planets used by the Coven. This gives him a few more engineers and crew members to get the bigger mission done. He’s also given two of the Earth planet-buster missiles via drones shot into space, but he’s only able to capture one. Now he has to figure out where the Coven’s home planet might be and if it’s heavily defended, how to defeat those defenses. Earth has put together their last armada of about ninety ships and they are going to strike directly at the hear of Coven territory, but Cole Jackson has to tell them where the Emperor’s home planet is and if he can, send a missile in to destroy that planet.
You’ll be hanging on to the edge of your seat as you read about this final mission. It doesn’t appear that Cole Jackson, his crew nor his ship can survive what must happen. Surprisingly, there will be a fourth book, “Fourth Wave”, that won’t be available until 12 May 2026. We have to wait awhile to find out what really happens to these amazing humans.
==[Note: As of 12/03/2023, this will not be published on Amazon since I have been banned from posting reviews for some unknown reason. Once the ban is lifted, assuming it does get lifted, I’ll go back and post this to Amazon.]==
May 31, 2025
The basic story is pretty good and the author's writing style flows well and is easy to follow, but the books are still a frustrating read, because everything is disaster driven. Everything goes wrong and they only survive because of an unlikely last second intervention, this happens over and over again, interspersed by interminable descriptions of another piece of equipment that has failed. This was so overdone.
My other problem with these books is they are meant to be Science Fiction, not Fairy-tale Fantasy, but the author takes so many liberties with the science and logic that they really aren’t believable, no matter how far I push my ability to ‘suspend my disbelief’.
My other problem with these books is they are meant to be Science Fiction, not Fairy-tale Fantasy, but the author takes so many liberties with the science and logic that they really aren’t believable, no matter how far I push my ability to ‘suspend my disbelief’.
June 12, 2025
This was a great final book to the 3 book arc. Action was good although not as much as in the first book. Things are a bit more dire now and our heroes don't have as much to work with anymore. I think the book did get bogged down a bit in the middle and the chase with the vengeful coven highborn could have been a little more dramatic, instead it came off being a bit like comedy capers. Also the ending was very abrupt. Our heroes have been through a lot and saved the day, they deserve a bit more attention from the author than the epilogue.. Someone get bored at the end writing this?
But overall, a good read and ignoring the middle book, a good series.
But overall, a good read and ignoring the middle book, a good series.
April 30, 2025
Very furious, and exciting climax to a new SF trilogy. It’s been fun watching the characters grow throughout the First Command series, and getting to know (and sympathize with) them in their ordeals. It adds a nice balance to the thrilling action scenes that take place in Trinity, in the crews desperate struggle to find the Coven home world. A very enjoyable (and page turning) read that I highly recommend. And without giving too much away, the epilogue was tantalizing in what it didn’t say. Another showdown between Cole and the Coven leader, Grom? Only time will tell…but I hope so.
September 12, 2025
The best book in the series! The Captain and his crew are sent on another mission to resurrect yet another derelict ship. As the Fleet is being crushed by the Coven onslaught, he receives an even more impossible order ... find the Coven home world so the Fleet can try to destroy it and stop the Coven. The Captain has to develop creative, often impossible seeming plans, to follow these orders. Battles against the Coven are numerous. The twists at the end of this story are unexpected, but the ending is worth the crazy ride.
Read
September 14, 2025Great
Like .a.movie you don't want to end.
Note: There is only one solar system, and it is properly referred to as "The Solar system*, capitol s, because a system is named for it's primary, in our case the yellow dwarf named " Sol". All other systems are properly referred to in the same manner. If the primary is unnamed or not catalogue numbered it should simply be referred to as the system, as our's is the only "Solar System."
Common literary mistake in science fiction.
This is just a pet peeve of mine. The books are AMAZING!!!
Like .a.movie you don't want to end.
Note: There is only one solar system, and it is properly referred to as "The Solar system*, capitol s, because a system is named for it's primary, in our case the yellow dwarf named " Sol". All other systems are properly referred to in the same manner. If the primary is unnamed or not catalogue numbered it should simply be referred to as the system, as our's is the only "Solar System."
Common literary mistake in science fiction.
This is just a pet peeve of mine. The books are AMAZING!!!
April 30, 2025
Wow - this was a really good ending to this short trilogy. I am saddened to have finished and encourage the author to consider a sequel trilogy in the future. The plausible technology, leadership descriptions, character developments are topnotch. Combined with a fast-paced page turner and I couldn't put this series down! Well done. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for something of a cross between a sci-fi space opera and a military techno-thriller.
May 13, 2025
Great series
This is a fun series… Stayed up too late at night trying to get through each book… Each one got better than the next. Characters are engaging although the losses are tough… Not sure if there will be a new series about if there is, I’ll be certain to Pick it up again. Stories have a bit of pulling rabbits out of hat characteristics but they’re all fun, even if some of the moves are not particularly understandable. Well worth the read.
This is a fun series… Stayed up too late at night trying to get through each book… Each one got better than the next. Characters are engaging although the losses are tough… Not sure if there will be a new series about if there is, I’ll be certain to Pick it up again. Stories have a bit of pulling rabbits out of hat characteristics but they’re all fun, even if some of the moves are not particularly understandable. Well worth the read.
June 10, 2025
Just read it
This trilogy is outstanding. There’s no point in reviews which try to summarise the story and it’s difficult to find the words to explain the quality of story telling at play. If you enjoy "all roads lead to Armageddon" stories with imperfect heroes, rounded characterisation and believable science fiction technology, read these three books. They’re thoroughly enjoyable.
This trilogy is outstanding. There’s no point in reviews which try to summarise the story and it’s difficult to find the words to explain the quality of story telling at play. If you enjoy "all roads lead to Armageddon" stories with imperfect heroes, rounded characterisation and believable science fiction technology, read these three books. They’re thoroughly enjoyable.
October 28, 2025
Not bad…
How many times does Cole “black out”? Have they never heard of seat belts or restraints? It was a good read, and obviously it’s sci-fi, but as the book neared its conclusion I was having a hard time imagining how any of it would have happened. It’s a story, I get it. Seems like the writing became poorer.
In addition, an 8-month wait for the next one, hence the 4-star review. In 8 months, I’ll have forgotten about this series.
How many times does Cole “black out”? Have they never heard of seat belts or restraints? It was a good read, and obviously it’s sci-fi, but as the book neared its conclusion I was having a hard time imagining how any of it would have happened. It’s a story, I get it. Seems like the writing became poorer.
In addition, an 8-month wait for the next one, hence the 4-star review. In 8 months, I’ll have forgotten about this series.
November 12, 2025
Best of the series so far
I totally enjoyed Trinity from beginning to end. As in the first 2 books, the characters were very realistic and easy to identify with. I suspected that some characters who weren't in the 2nd book would return and was happy for their appearances in Trinity. The last 150 pages of this book were impossible for me to put down and I could actually feel my heart rate increase as I was reading it.
I totally enjoyed Trinity from beginning to end. As in the first 2 books, the characters were very realistic and easy to identify with. I suspected that some characters who weren't in the 2nd book would return and was happy for their appearances in Trinity. The last 150 pages of this book were impossible for me to put down and I could actually feel my heart rate increase as I was reading it.
May 23, 2025
The whole series thus far have been a wild ride!
I've been a fan of Sci-fi and Sci-fi Thrillers for over 50 years. I'm also a military veteran so the atmosphere clicks.
Even though there are some places where the dialog includes familiar cultural concepts and words, the stories are intense and edge of your seat.
I've been a fan of Sci-fi and Sci-fi Thrillers for over 50 years. I'm also a military veteran so the atmosphere clicks.
Even though there are some places where the dialog includes familiar cultural concepts and words, the stories are intense and edge of your seat.
May 25, 2025
Cracking action story.
Good storytelling with plenty of action. Real seat of the pants stuff. Real characters, each with there own stories. Couldn't put the books down. Devoured every word. I really recommend this trilogy, if you like rollercoaster action and good characterisation.
Good storytelling with plenty of action. Real seat of the pants stuff. Real characters, each with there own stories. Couldn't put the books down. Devoured every word. I really recommend this trilogy, if you like rollercoaster action and good characterisation.
May 11, 2025
A hail Mary operation.
Absolutely brilliant military sci-fi action.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
A thrilling read that will keep you turning page after page.
I look forward to more from this author
Absolutely brilliant military sci-fi action.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
A thrilling read that will keep you turning page after page.
I look forward to more from this author
May 22, 2025
I'm truly enjoying this series , it's well written & a great story . I only gave it a 4 star but thats only because it would have to be a Dune level for a 5 , but thats just me ! If you love good characters and a roller coaster story give this author and this series a try !
May 29, 2025
Non stop action makes this book hard to put doaw
The author keeps you guessing what the captain and crew are going to destroy and fix up next to save humanity All are heroes when the captain is in control.
The author keeps you guessing what the captain and crew are going to destroy and fix up next to save humanity All are heroes when the captain is in control.
June 4, 2025
Well written story
These stories are well written and I enjoyed reading all 3. Some of the description s of the equipment and construction of the ships and their systems seemed like a stretch from an engineering perspective. The bad guys were really hateable.
These stories are well written and I enjoyed reading all 3. Some of the description s of the equipment and construction of the ships and their systems seemed like a stretch from an engineering perspective. The bad guys were really hateable.
August 5, 2025
The story itself is quite engaging, and the author’s writing style is easy to follow. However, the books are still a bit frustrating because everything seems to go awry. The characters only manage to survive because of a last-minute miracle, and this happens repeatedly. It’s a bit too much for me.
August 7, 2025
Action and intrigue fantasy
I really enjoyed this outer space action thriller. It was a real page turner so to speak.However as a person of color I would have loved to see more diversity. Otherwise it was a great story.
I really enjoyed this outer space action thriller. It was a real page turner so to speak.However as a person of color I would have loved to see more diversity. Otherwise it was a great story.
November 3, 2025
Epic Battle against overwhelming odds
WOW !!! This has got to be the best series I've read in years. Do not start this epic adventure without having the time to fully immerse yourself in this fabulously portrayal of Aliens and Heroes. Definitely on my shelf for a re-read.
WOW !!! This has got to be the best series I've read in years. Do not start this epic adventure without having the time to fully immerse yourself in this fabulously portrayal of Aliens and Heroes. Definitely on my shelf for a re-read.
November 18, 2025
Hard to put down
Man, what a read. Non stop action from start to finish! Every time I picked up the book to read for 30 minutes, the next thing I know its been 90 minutes. As the title says, hard to put down.
Man, what a read. Non stop action from start to finish! Every time I picked up the book to read for 30 minutes, the next thing I know its been 90 minutes. As the title says, hard to put down.
May 7, 2025
Brilliant.
Great read. Action on every level. You get engrossed in every turn of events inthes series. Just brilliant. A must read.
Great read. Action on every level. You get engrossed in every turn of events inthes series. Just brilliant. A must read.
May 13, 2025
Incredible series and fun reading
This series is one of the best storylines and so good I had a hard time putting them down to take a break.
This series is one of the best storylines and so good I had a hard time putting them down to take a break.
May 24, 2025
Well-written, engaging, and very satisfying read. Couldn’t put it down!
June 16, 2025
I really liked this book. I liked the interaction of the characters. And the battle scenes. It’s too bad this is only a trilogy. Though it is open ended enough for more books. Here’s hoping
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews