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Extinction Fleet #1
Space Marine Ajax
Ajax answers the call of duty and becomes an Einherjar space marine, charged with defending humanity against hideous alien monsters in furious combat across the galaxy.
The Garm, as they came to be called, emerged from the deepest parts of uncharted space, devouring all that lay before them, a great swarm that scoured entire star systems of all organic life. This space borne hive, this extinction fleet, made no attempts to communicate and offered no mercy. Such was the ferocity of their assault upon the civilization of humanity that our own wars and schemes were made petty in comparison.
Humanity has always been a deadly organism, and we would not so easily be made the prey. Unified against a common enemy, we fought back, meeting the swarm with soldiers upon every front.
We were resplendent in our fury, and yet, despite the terrible slaughter we visited upon the enemy, world after world still fell beneath ravenous tooth and wicked claw. For every beast slain in the field, another was swiftly hatched to take its place and humanity was faced with a grim war of attrition.
After a decade of bitter galactic conflict, it was all humanity could to do slow the advance of the swarm and with each passing year we came closer to extinction. The grinding cost of war mounted. The realization set in that without a radical shift in tactics and technology the forces of humanity would run out of soldiers before it ran out of bullets.
In desperate response to the real threat of total annihilation, humanity created the Einherjar. Fearless new warriors with frightening new weapons who were sent to fight the wolves at the gate.
The Garm, as they came to be called, emerged from the deepest parts of uncharted space, devouring all that lay before them, a great swarm that scoured entire star systems of all organic life. This space borne hive, this extinction fleet, made no attempts to communicate and offered no mercy. Such was the ferocity of their assault upon the civilization of humanity that our own wars and schemes were made petty in comparison.
Humanity has always been a deadly organism, and we would not so easily be made the prey. Unified against a common enemy, we fought back, meeting the swarm with soldiers upon every front.
We were resplendent in our fury, and yet, despite the terrible slaughter we visited upon the enemy, world after world still fell beneath ravenous tooth and wicked claw. For every beast slain in the field, another was swiftly hatched to take its place and humanity was faced with a grim war of attrition.
After a decade of bitter galactic conflict, it was all humanity could to do slow the advance of the swarm and with each passing year we came closer to extinction. The grinding cost of war mounted. The realization set in that without a radical shift in tactics and technology the forces of humanity would run out of soldiers before it ran out of bullets.
In desperate response to the real threat of total annihilation, humanity created the Einherjar. Fearless new warriors with frightening new weapons who were sent to fight the wolves at the gate.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2017
153 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Sean-Michael Argo
65 books43 followersSean-Michael Argo is an author and independent film producer from the backwood swamps of Arkansas. He writes the kinds of books he likes to read and makes the kinds of movies he likes to watch, so his expanding body of work is a testament to his love of gritty urban fantasy, epic tales of swords & sorcery, horror movies, and the post-apocalyptic wasteland. His films are available on Amazon and presented by Dark Roast Releasing. He spends his time traveling the country for work, making art, and raising his son.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 2, 2017
Humanity is under attack by a species called the Garm. The Garm are a hideous species with a hive mentality, a cross between lizards and cockroaches, with living weapons, bio-engineered to cause devastating impact on living organisms.
They basically swarm into a system, devour anything organic and then continue on, moving from system to system in a vast fleet of hive ships that grows with each new system that they consume.
For those that have had anything to do with the Warhammer 40K universe, there are a lot of similarities between the Garm and the Tyranids, the hierarchy of creatures, from tiny ripper swarms, to the tank like Carnivores (or UltraGarm as it is called in this story). Whilst there is an obvious comparison between the Tyranids and the Garm, this does not detract from the book in anyway. In fact, if you are a fan of the Nids, it actually makes it a bit more interesting, and if you have no idea, well, the descriptive work that Argo has done with the Garm is wonderfully graphic in its detail giving a real edge to the story.
The story follows Ajax, an Einherjar Space Marine. The Space Marines follow the Norse mythology, in the names of their Ranks, the Space Marine Legions, even the language they use.
The Garm were wiping out humanity so fast that nothing could stand in their way, and Humans were running out of options. Thus were created the Einherjar, a cloned Space Marine army with a difference. They are able to be resurrected after death, returning to ‘The Body Forge’, were they are given a newly minted body, and either given their old minds with all their memories, or minus whatever killed them the last time if it is deemed that the memory is too horrific.
I don’t want to give away too much, so no major spoilers. This story follows Ajax and his unit, the Hydra’s as they try to stop a Hive Fleet from decimating a small planet with a single city on the fringes.
All though this story initially starts out as though it is going to just be a brutal battle between man and alien, it soon becomes an amazing tale as the real purpose of the story is revealed. The story still running at adrenaline past speeds, suddenly picks up its pace, turning it into a gripping and exceptionally well written thriller that sees the Space Marines at risk of losing their greatest weapon – their resurrection ability.
This is a full on Military Sci-Fi story, that does not stop from the moment you pick it up, to the very last page, keeping you flipping pages as fast as you can. Although the Aliens are similar to Tyranids, Argo has done a spectacular job in his descriptions of their constructs, their fighting, actions and their insatiable lust for carnage. At the same time, he has captured the Space Marine courage and fighting soul as they face insurmountable odds, and the possibility of defeat.
If you love a good Military Sci-Fi read, this is one that shouldn’t be missed!
They basically swarm into a system, devour anything organic and then continue on, moving from system to system in a vast fleet of hive ships that grows with each new system that they consume.
For those that have had anything to do with the Warhammer 40K universe, there are a lot of similarities between the Garm and the Tyranids, the hierarchy of creatures, from tiny ripper swarms, to the tank like Carnivores (or UltraGarm as it is called in this story). Whilst there is an obvious comparison between the Tyranids and the Garm, this does not detract from the book in anyway. In fact, if you are a fan of the Nids, it actually makes it a bit more interesting, and if you have no idea, well, the descriptive work that Argo has done with the Garm is wonderfully graphic in its detail giving a real edge to the story.
The story follows Ajax, an Einherjar Space Marine. The Space Marines follow the Norse mythology, in the names of their Ranks, the Space Marine Legions, even the language they use.
The Garm were wiping out humanity so fast that nothing could stand in their way, and Humans were running out of options. Thus were created the Einherjar, a cloned Space Marine army with a difference. They are able to be resurrected after death, returning to ‘The Body Forge’, were they are given a newly minted body, and either given their old minds with all their memories, or minus whatever killed them the last time if it is deemed that the memory is too horrific.
I don’t want to give away too much, so no major spoilers. This story follows Ajax and his unit, the Hydra’s as they try to stop a Hive Fleet from decimating a small planet with a single city on the fringes.
All though this story initially starts out as though it is going to just be a brutal battle between man and alien, it soon becomes an amazing tale as the real purpose of the story is revealed. The story still running at adrenaline past speeds, suddenly picks up its pace, turning it into a gripping and exceptionally well written thriller that sees the Space Marines at risk of losing their greatest weapon – their resurrection ability.
This is a full on Military Sci-Fi story, that does not stop from the moment you pick it up, to the very last page, keeping you flipping pages as fast as you can. Although the Aliens are similar to Tyranids, Argo has done a spectacular job in his descriptions of their constructs, their fighting, actions and their insatiable lust for carnage. At the same time, he has captured the Space Marine courage and fighting soul as they face insurmountable odds, and the possibility of defeat.
If you love a good Military Sci-Fi read, this is one that shouldn’t be missed!
December 4, 2017
This is another offering from the author of the Necrospace books, and it is a damn fine book. What you have here is the retelling of Beowulf, sort of, but in the future. Ajax is an Einherjar, a clone marine who can be brought back into a new body using a body forge, very quickly so that warriors are always available and in the field. They retain a great deal of memory with the perishing of each old body and the reintegration of the new. Ajax has died about twenty times in his career, including three times in the story told here. The Bright Lance Company of Marines is waging a war on the planet Heorot, against a new alien threat called the Garm. These things are a mish mosh of insectoid/lizard hybrids. They have several forms, from the lowly footsoldier beetel forms, to Gorehounds, and the fierce WarGarm. The battle is not going well for Ajax and his Rifles (comrades). In the midst of a vicious trench battle near the capital city of Heorot a new Garm breed is discovered as it makes its presence known to Bright Lance. The creature resembles a demonic serpent and Ajax barely survives discovering the creature. Command dubs the creature Grendel and it is also cyphered out that Ajax and the Grendel share a mental and emotional link after the creature almost killed him. What the big brains of command deduce is that Grendel has efforted out a way to perma-kill the marines, through genetic imbalance. Call it viral warfare or whatever you wish, the toxins and poisons the Grendel emits manage to disallow the rebirth of marines the creature kills. After a prolonged battle the Grendel is wounded and returns to its spawning ship, a great organic Garm factory that spits and secretes out Gar for the battle. The remnants of Bright Lance are deployed to the ship to seek the Grendel and claim its head for the research division of Command, of course. The marines barely win the day though most are killed and the prize is bitterly won but won, nonetheless.
I really enjoyed this book, as I have all of the books Mr. Argo has written. They are short, concise and to the point. They don't blow up four hundred pages of narrative, instead throwing the reader right into the action and getting us in the mud and blood quickly. I respect that, a lot. I have read some negative comments on Amazon and other places about this being a 40K rip off. Being a huge 40k fan and reading those books as well, I can just say this. I enjoy both and everyone out there who always has to compare one thing to another thing, well just knock it off. You can enjoy both and if you like one, why wouldn't enjoy a different take on stuff? Read and enjoy. Review and spread the word about good books and authors like this one. Why be negative when it's not necessary, ya know?
disengage.....soapbox......in 3....2....1....terminate
Danny
I really enjoyed this book, as I have all of the books Mr. Argo has written. They are short, concise and to the point. They don't blow up four hundred pages of narrative, instead throwing the reader right into the action and getting us in the mud and blood quickly. I respect that, a lot. I have read some negative comments on Amazon and other places about this being a 40K rip off. Being a huge 40k fan and reading those books as well, I can just say this. I enjoy both and everyone out there who always has to compare one thing to another thing, well just knock it off. You can enjoy both and if you like one, why wouldn't enjoy a different take on stuff? Read and enjoy. Review and spread the word about good books and authors like this one. Why be negative when it's not necessary, ya know?
disengage.....soapbox......in 3....2....1....terminate
Danny
December 5, 2021
Ajax is an Einharjar space marine, basically cannon fodder in humanities war against The Garm. A race of different types of beasties that get more and more vicious. And now they have something different to throw at humanity.
Luckily for Ajax and his fellow marines, there are such things as Resurrection Ships, which should be self-explanatory. But it does mean they die over and over again - I'd get really fed up of that myself!
This is what you'd expect from Mr Argo, blood, guts, alien beasties, marines, dead, alive and dead again.
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Luckily for Ajax and his fellow marines, there are such things as Resurrection Ships, which should be self-explanatory. But it does mean they die over and over again - I'd get really fed up of that myself!
This is what you'd expect from Mr Argo, blood, guts, alien beasties, marines, dead, alive and dead again.
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
January 7, 2022
Strange worlds
Reading this book and meeting the characters both the good and the evil. Sorta makes my head swim.. It is great that the good guys win, but I could do with a bit more introduction to this universe. A clone army that doesn't die? A hoard of monsters the zip around the universe trying to eat up all the organic stuff they meet?
Yes a better intro is needed. I will continue to read this story as I am now hooked
Reading this book and meeting the characters both the good and the evil. Sorta makes my head swim.. It is great that the good guys win, but I could do with a bit more introduction to this universe. A clone army that doesn't die? A hoard of monsters the zip around the universe trying to eat up all the organic stuff they meet?
Yes a better intro is needed. I will continue to read this story as I am now hooked
February 5, 2017
Combining elements of Norse mythology, Starship Troopers, and Warhammer 40K this is an epic tale condensed into concentrated awesome.
With a well detailed Universe and unrelenting depictions of a war for survival, the action does not stop through out this book. It's well written, action packed and cleverly crafted. Really looking forward to future books in the Extinction Fleet series.
With a well detailed Universe and unrelenting depictions of a war for survival, the action does not stop through out this book. It's well written, action packed and cleverly crafted. Really looking forward to future books in the Extinction Fleet series.
June 28, 2017
The story is gruesome war between space marines and insectoid hive mind aliens. The addition from other similar stories is wrapping Human military in nordic references.
To fight the endless wave of aliens special kind of marines was developed - kind build for endless war.
The plot isn't that complex, characters aren't that developed but the you get the feel of the fight to the end.
To fight the endless wave of aliens special kind of marines was developed - kind build for endless war.
The plot isn't that complex, characters aren't that developed but the you get the feel of the fight to the end.
October 20, 2018
Good but it violated my expectations. I thought this was going to be a prequel to necrospace. Now, I don't know what to believe. It's clearly the same universe, clearly a different time, and just as clearly a vastly different enemy.
Good sci fi and I enjoy the hearkening to mythology.
Good sci fi and I enjoy the hearkening to mythology.
March 17, 2017
A very good quick read. It's a bit choppy at times, but you'll get used to it.
July 2, 2017
very good space marine storyline
July 25, 2018
Beowulf meets Starship Troopers (the movie). This was very good and I will read this author again.
June 21, 2023
Middle of the road
February 16, 2017
Last Gasp Human Warriors face Lizard-bugs
Interesting take on eternal war. The enemy swarms humanity, but humanity creates a force that dies, only to be resurrected with it's memories into new bodies. Will immortal warriors beat insectoid swarms? Pretty good book. RECOMMENDED
Interesting take on eternal war. The enemy swarms humanity, but humanity creates a force that dies, only to be resurrected with it's memories into new bodies. Will immortal warriors beat insectoid swarms? Pretty good book. RECOMMENDED
February 10, 2017
Space Marine
Just finished reading the first of the series and could not put it down was action packed from start to end Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Just finished reading the first of the series and could not put it down was action packed from start to end Can't wait to read the next in the series.
February 4, 2017
Leaden, Cliche Ridden and Poorly Written
"Space Marine Ajax (Extinction Fleet Book 1)," is a leaden, plodding, cliche-ridden, wannabe Norse saga, set in the far future. Mr. Sean-Michael Astro, the author, has both poorly conceived and executed, what is so bad, that after repeated attempts at reading, I could not complete, and bailed at around 27%.
The author tries to write grandly, poetically, and fails miserably. The prose is thickly laid on, repetitive, and mainly nonsensical. It is frankly, idiotic. The author, expects a reader to believe, that future humanity, intergalactic and technologically advanced, cannot afford to produce bullets or napalm, because the war has gone on for a decade? Huh?
This was among the worse eBooks I have encountered, DNF, and it is not recommended.
"Space Marine Ajax (Extinction Fleet Book 1)," is a leaden, plodding, cliche-ridden, wannabe Norse saga, set in the far future. Mr. Sean-Michael Astro, the author, has both poorly conceived and executed, what is so bad, that after repeated attempts at reading, I could not complete, and bailed at around 27%.
The author tries to write grandly, poetically, and fails miserably. The prose is thickly laid on, repetitive, and mainly nonsensical. It is frankly, idiotic. The author, expects a reader to believe, that future humanity, intergalactic and technologically advanced, cannot afford to produce bullets or napalm, because the war has gone on for a decade? Huh?
This was among the worse eBooks I have encountered, DNF, and it is not recommended.
March 25, 2017
Such an amazing blend of sci-fi and ancient Norse mythology. Couldn't put it down. I'm waiting for the second book to come out
May 2, 2017
After the first 32 pages which described one battle and then after 11 pages more, we are back in another battle. Since the book is only 127 pages, this was not my cup of tea. So only pick this up if you enjoy (really) military SF
Read
June 2, 2017Interesting storyline
Interesting because the military keep regenerate the dead soldiers but it is also based on Viking takes and history. A little repetitive military action.
Interesting because the military keep regenerate the dead soldiers but it is also based on Viking takes and history. A little repetitive military action.
December 29, 2017
Not sure about this one, good action and flow, but the backstory/belief system seemed jumbled. at least to my thinking.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews