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Stark's Command

2001Jack Campbell

4.8/5

This book picks up pretty much shortly after "Stark's War" (book 1 in the trilogy) leaves off. Sgt Stark, the commander of the mutinous army, now faces the kettle of fish he's opened after his take-over of the Army unit guarding the Moon colony (as a recap, in book 1, a fresh division of troops, unused to the lunar environment, were sent charging headlong into the teeth of enemy defenses, as the plan wasn't to overpower the enemy, but to over-awe them into submission; didn't work too well, and most of the division was slaughtered; Stark, a member of the veteran lunar division instructed to watch and not partake, was sick was watching his fellow soldiers get killed and not reinforced or relieved, led an indirect insurrection by going out and rescuing what survivors there were, then arresting all the [stupid (and not so stupid)] officers, and was ultimately voted as Commander of the Army guarding the US Lunar Colony). This kettle of fish entails not only dealing with the brass, politicos, and corporate leaders of Earth, but also how to work with the Colony's civilian population. Stark's only desire, and it is echoed by many of the troops, is that they only want to do "the right thing" but have been denied by Those Higher Up (i.e., the officers, and their masters). They still believe in the Constitution, still consider themselves honorable American soldiers, but everyone back Home (Earth) who has any power is doing their level best to convince everyone that they are just a mob with no control. Meanwhile, there is friction between the civilian population of the Colony and the military forces as neither side has any real understanding of how the other works/thinks/acts short of preconceived and incorrect notions. Stark's job, smooth that out, and convince the leaders on Earth they are legit. It doesn't happen overnight. Doesn't happen by the end of the book (though he makes long headway with the Colony's civilians, especially after a sneak attack by professional foreign power soldiers are hired by the US Govt to take Stark out but instead who are beaten - however, not before they kill a civilian who was getting into a relationship with one of Stark's former squad members). There's plenty of action and activity in this book, it was difficult to put down. The story basically opens with an all-out attack on the Colony's defenses by foreign powers, and Stark trying to rally soldiers who were fleeing in the face of overwhelming odds. He finally manages to hold the line by personally going out there and grabbing individual soldiers, building up a defensive wall and pincer maneuver that crunches the enemy's advance, forcing them to flee back to their own defenses. As a side note, for those who read The Lost Fleet series, I had suspicions during the first book that the background set up (corporations had taken over most of Earth's nations, only the US still retained it's government, but it was controlled heavily by other corporations) was what might lead to the Alliance/Syndic background portrayed in The Lost Fleet. In this sequel there is more evidence that this is the case, as several names pop up verrrry briefly during the early fighting in the book: Geary, Demetrios, and Falco, all military personnel. Makes you go "Hmmmm..."
Picture of a book: Stark's Command

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