Lieutenant Colonel

Dirigent Mercenary Corps #5

by Rick Shelley

While the Colonial Mining Cartel raids a small planet for its valuable mineral resources, Major Lon Nolan fights to defend the beleaguered inhabitants. Original.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Military Science Fiction

279 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Otis Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Shelley brings our boy Lon Nolan right back to a hornets' nest he thought he’d already cleared out. Even though he’s got his shiny new lieutenant colonel rank, Lon gets slapped with a heavy dose of déjà vu when the governor of Bancroft—that same messy mining planet he just got done saving—cries out for the Dirigent Mercenary Corps all over again. It turns out the greedy corporate slickers at the Colonial Mining Cartel didn't take kindly to losing the first time. They’ve come back with a whole mess of meaner, tighter-disciplined muscle to terrorize the locals and strip the planet clean, and this go-around, the survival of the DMC's entire Second Battalion lands squarely on Lon's shoulders. This piece of military sci-fi from the year 2804 keeps its combat boots firmly planted in reality. Ol' Rick Shelley uses his real-deal veteran background to make sure the squad tactics, chain of command, and battlefield grime feel as authentic as an old cast-iron skillet. It’s a classic, blue-collar sci-fi yarn that doesn't waste time on flowery words; it focuses purely on the heavy sweat, blood, and brotherhood of the grunts holding the front line against a corporate bully. If you want to watch Lon step up and lead a whole battalion into the meat grinder go ahead an fetch a copy.

[Doug Sundseth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem that started on Bancroft in "Major" has returned. Raiders, probably from Earth, have returned in force and are apparently trying to destabilize the planetary government. Lon Nolan is the new Lt. Col. commanding a full battalion of the DMC, and because of his previous experience, the Bancroft government asks for him and his battalion specifically.

This time, we get more and better character work and the military aspects bring in more SF aspects than in previous books. The plot is plausible and the action is well-written.

This is probably the best book in the series so far. While it's not clear that reading this far in the series is worth the time, this book, by itself, is recommended.

[Sean Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

"there is a male equivalent to fluffy chick lit", says a reviewer on Goodreads, about Officer Cadet in particular and the series in general. I'd say she had a point there, at least with the earlier titles, but the complexities bestowed by Lon's rank and family both serve to elevate things above that, in my opinion. Never a series to die for, but the progression is most certainly proving worth the read.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lon Nolan left Earth years ago to avoid becoming a policeman upon graduation from North America's military academy. Immigrating to Dirigent to join its military. Rising in rank and getting married, he is now placed in command of a battalion in the 7th Regiment after an intelligence stint on Earth. Pirates are once again looting Bancroft and the planet asks to hire his battalion to put it down as he did nine years previously. This time the pirate force is larger and more professional.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

1

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books in this series don't differ much from each other. This is a tolerable read, however, though it's probably around 25 pages too long.

[Jim Stennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun entry in the series. A lot like the last one, but intentionally so as it's back to Bancroft to settle some old scores. Rousing climatic battle this time around.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun, fun, fun