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First Command
Bartholomew Roberts is retiring, leaving his son in command of the Queen Anne’s Revenge. It is his first command, and it may be his last. The Alliance will do everything in their power to ensure that he fails.
Failure in the Alliance is not tolerated. If Doc Roberts is lucky, they will hang him. If not, he will be sent to a reeducation center, mind-wiped, and a control collar will be placed around his neck, then he will be paraded in the streets of Avalon’s capital city, as an example of what happens to people who fail in their missions.
He can’t afford to fail!
Failure in the Alliance is not tolerated. If Doc Roberts is lucky, they will hang him. If not, he will be sent to a reeducation center, mind-wiped, and a control collar will be placed around his neck, then he will be paraded in the streets of Avalon’s capital city, as an example of what happens to people who fail in their missions.
He can’t afford to fail!
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2021
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 30, 2021
Space operas are fun to read and a well-written fast-paced one is not just fun but a pleasure to read. First Command is a well-written fast-paced space opera.
Doc Roberts, son of Bathalomew Roberts, captain of the privateer, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.” which is named after Blackbeard the Pirate’s ship, is leaving the ship to his son. Bart is retiring. Unfortunately, he has stripped the ship of four of the ship’s Mauraders and taken as much loot as possible.
Doc has 39 days in stead of a full three months to accumulate more than 3 million galactic credits to pay to the Alliance if he wants to keep his ship and his head.
Two of his crew members find a synth in a storage crate in storage in the hold. The ship’s artificial intelligence is linked to it to make it the ship’s avatar.
Doc plans to stop along the way to the rendezvous with the Alliance ship in less than 39 days to appropriate credits, jewels, and anything else worth anything from a system along the way. But no paper money—it would be too easy to connect them to their scavaging mission. A “privateers” they are not supposed to rob banks.
The action is fast, the synth becomes a part of the crew, and the Queen Anne’s Revenge” heads off to collect booty and meet the Alliance agent. And, oh yes, this really is a fast paced. fun space opera that will have you quickly turning pages.
Doc Roberts, son of Bathalomew Roberts, captain of the privateer, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.” which is named after Blackbeard the Pirate’s ship, is leaving the ship to his son. Bart is retiring. Unfortunately, he has stripped the ship of four of the ship’s Mauraders and taken as much loot as possible.
Doc has 39 days in stead of a full three months to accumulate more than 3 million galactic credits to pay to the Alliance if he wants to keep his ship and his head.
Two of his crew members find a synth in a storage crate in storage in the hold. The ship’s artificial intelligence is linked to it to make it the ship’s avatar.
Doc plans to stop along the way to the rendezvous with the Alliance ship in less than 39 days to appropriate credits, jewels, and anything else worth anything from a system along the way. But no paper money—it would be too easy to connect them to their scavaging mission. A “privateers” they are not supposed to rob banks.
The action is fast, the synth becomes a part of the crew, and the Queen Anne’s Revenge” heads off to collect booty and meet the Alliance agent. And, oh yes, this really is a fast paced. fun space opera that will have you quickly turning pages.
June 27, 2023
Help me read more books
I find that a story told from the point of view of a pirate doesn't interest me. In this case, the particular pirate in question is taking over the captain role from his father, who has had the ship for 60 years. His first priority is to make the required payment to some government organization though for what reason isn't really explained. As a result, this pirate performs a smash and grab on a nearby planet, then promptly boards a ship which is (otherwise) minding its own business. I find I don't really like the main character here, nor do I like the particular world in which this story takes place. Admittedly, this is the first story I've read from this author, and it's likely reading a full length novel based in this universe *could* change my view on things, but I don't think I'll be reading anything else from this author. I generally really like scifi stories, especially ones that take place in space, but in this particular for instance, I'm just not feeling it.
I find that a story told from the point of view of a pirate doesn't interest me. In this case, the particular pirate in question is taking over the captain role from his father, who has had the ship for 60 years. His first priority is to make the required payment to some government organization though for what reason isn't really explained. As a result, this pirate performs a smash and grab on a nearby planet, then promptly boards a ship which is (otherwise) minding its own business. I find I don't really like the main character here, nor do I like the particular world in which this story takes place. Admittedly, this is the first story I've read from this author, and it's likely reading a full length novel based in this universe *could* change my view on things, but I don't think I'll be reading anything else from this author. I generally really like scifi stories, especially ones that take place in space, but in this particular for instance, I'm just not feeling it.
May 18, 2024
A dark sci-fi pirate adventure!
Jay paints a bleak universe where the protagonist is forced out into a life of space piracy.
Dealing with the totalitarian government of the Alliance Captain Roberts the new captain of the star ship the Queen Anne’s revenge must pay the piper and come up with millions of alliance credits or lose his ship and his life.
I quite liked the story. The world is quite dark. The protagonist Roberts is not a good guy like we might look at in a black and white situation, but he is fighting his life and for the life of his crew.
The story implied some good ole steamy sex but didn’t go to the erotic side just implied that it happened.
Leaves me wanting to read more about this crew of characters.
Jay paints a bleak universe where the protagonist is forced out into a life of space piracy.
Dealing with the totalitarian government of the Alliance Captain Roberts the new captain of the star ship the Queen Anne’s revenge must pay the piper and come up with millions of alliance credits or lose his ship and his life.
I quite liked the story. The world is quite dark. The protagonist Roberts is not a good guy like we might look at in a black and white situation, but he is fighting his life and for the life of his crew.
The story implied some good ole steamy sex but didn’t go to the erotic side just implied that it happened.
Leaves me wanting to read more about this crew of characters.
May 4, 2021
First off let me say I’m a big fan of this author. This book is a prequel to his Space Pirate Roberts series. As with all the books in the series the character development is first rate. The author has a sort of organic feel to the growth of his characters that makes me identify with them. Here again the world building is a continuous process across the series. The plot line has a sort of sublime simplicity that makes the story flow naturally. I recommend this book to all adult readers of sci-fi ranging from the military to the space opera.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 19, 2022
Space opera is a term I know from watching Star Trek or Star Wars, here it is applied to a novella about a pirate ship. Think Firefly. I’ve seen all the positive reviews. I have issue with the use of pronouns where the person they refer to is unclear. Father and son discuss matters while sparing with live light sabers? These are pirates.
At least one of the characters here is a cyborg. The taking of human lives is described here as if this were a video game.
At least one of the characters here is a cyborg. The taking of human lives is described here as if this were a video game.
October 21, 2022
Way too much tell instead of show in this one. I started skimming about three quarters of the way through because it became rather monotonous. Also, the POV changed from third person to first person multiple times throughout, which was really jarring. Could have used a deeper edit as well. Overall, I think this story has potential, but it needs to be reworked and beta’d.
Received as a freebie for signing up for the author’s newsletter.
Received as a freebie for signing up for the author’s newsletter.
December 10, 2024
First Command (Space Rogue .5) , my thirteenth read from author Jay Toney, an author whose books I've been acquiring since February of 2021. Well-written with unexpected twists & turns, the lead in to Tonry's Space Rogue series. “I received a Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. Next up, The Dark Citadel (Space Rogue Book 8). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
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September 14, 2021This is a good series starter.The characters are introduced and you get a good feel for their personalities. The action starts quickly and there's suspense caused by the tight timeline. The combat is described well, the actions of the fighters are logical and well thought out. If you like action syfy novels, read this one.
June 1, 2022
I wounder how much father and son have had to endure from the Alliance? I wounder how much longer it will last. You know England and America used to do the same thing. History shows that they turned a blind eye to pirates. Good story.
August 11, 2023
Doc Roberts is amazing man in my eyes. He got it going on for himself and he can rescue me anytime. I'm hooked 100. My investigation mind is ready to go with my suspects list at hand. I will be adding this book to my book collection of favorites. Iler.
May 14, 2021
Doc Roberts has inherited his father's pirate ship and must make payments to the alliance
May 26, 2021
This book is a short prequel to the next book. Here we meet the crew of the Queen Ann Revenge space ship and this also introduces the AI of the ship. This book is action all the way through.
February 19, 2022
This short prequel filled in some gaps in the later stories. It was enjoyable and short enough not to go wondering off in plot the way the next book did.
February 11, 2024
If you like interesting characters and action then you will no doubt enjoy this book. Short read with plenty of action to keep you interested.
March 31, 2021
Short and sweet introduction to the Doc Roberts series of space piracy - 4 stars.
Doc Roberts has his first command after his father Bartholomew retires. You do not have to have read any of the books in the Doc Roberts series. This short story is a quick introduction. The Alliance did not get to be number one by being nice to its people or its enemies.
Alliance officers enjoy being demanding and curt. The alliance enjoys its powerful position, issuing orders to pay for the privilege of providing offense to their enemy (the Coalition) and paying tribute to the Alliance.
Roberts is greeted on his first visit to the home galaxy with a demand for a great deal of money (to be gathered from unwilling contributors) and meet at a just-announced location to hand over the money and get new instructions in a month or so.
The AI is the key to the functioning of the Queen Anne's Revenge - Doc's ship. The AI has been given a synth's body (a young, attractive human female with all the accouterments)). Her name is Natasha. Natasha runs the ship; she is a distraction - or welcome attraction - for all of the men who see her.
Doc Roberts is the ideal pirate; he knows where to look for the booty and has no compunction about taking what he finds.
Readers of the Doc Roberts series know that the Alliance is going to have its hands full trying to avoid being overshadowed by Doc Roberts as he starts his career. Hide your wealth. Enjoy the fireworks.
Doc Roberts has his first command after his father Bartholomew retires. You do not have to have read any of the books in the Doc Roberts series. This short story is a quick introduction. The Alliance did not get to be number one by being nice to its people or its enemies.
Alliance officers enjoy being demanding and curt. The alliance enjoys its powerful position, issuing orders to pay for the privilege of providing offense to their enemy (the Coalition) and paying tribute to the Alliance.
Roberts is greeted on his first visit to the home galaxy with a demand for a great deal of money (to be gathered from unwilling contributors) and meet at a just-announced location to hand over the money and get new instructions in a month or so.
The AI is the key to the functioning of the Queen Anne's Revenge - Doc's ship. The AI has been given a synth's body (a young, attractive human female with all the accouterments)). Her name is Natasha. Natasha runs the ship; she is a distraction - or welcome attraction - for all of the men who see her.
Doc Roberts is the ideal pirate; he knows where to look for the booty and has no compunction about taking what he finds.
Readers of the Doc Roberts series know that the Alliance is going to have its hands full trying to avoid being overshadowed by Doc Roberts as he starts his career. Hide your wealth. Enjoy the fireworks.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews