Space Specter is out today! Chaos with aliens and AIs as Thelma and Max dive into trouble in the Badstars. Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XGGNLHR/ (Also available to read in Amazon’s lending library, Kindle Unlimited).

The Saloon Sector is the Federation’s official frontier, but beyond it lurks the Badstars. Bandits hide there. The Saloon Sector is Sheriff Max Smith’s territory. Since the revelation of his secret identity, life has changed for Max and Thelma. Their relationship is under increased pressure.

Admiral Astyages, newly appointed in command of the Frontier Fleet, manipulates them into joining a Navy expedition to map a safe route to the wormhole on the far side of the Badstars.

Alone in hostile territory and separated from their allies, Max and Thelma couldn’t be less prepared for their encounter with the legendary specters.

But it’s not the specters who’ll betray them.

Excerpt

Admiral Tom Astyages was a short, square block of a man. Powerful shoulders set the framework for his muscular body. He was bald, which served to emphasize the arch of his black eyebrows, giving him a surprised appearance that didn’t match the assessing gaze he leveled at Max. The Admiral reached across his desk to shake hands. “Sheriff Smith.”

“Admiral Astyages.”

Astyages waved him to a seat. They were onboard the carrier Carthage. “Bandits.”

A steward delivered coffee and vanished again.

The Admiral swallowed half his cup without adding milk or sugar.

Max didn’t bother with fripperies either, but nor did he have an asbestos throat. He let the coffee cool and waited for Astyages to elaborate on his cryptic statement of “Bandits”.

The Admiral was newly assigned to command of the Frontier Fleet, the rejigged arrangement for patrolling the Saloon Sector and out through the Badstars to the Kampia wormhole.

“Regulations are that as sheriff you can request the Navy to assist you against or in pursuit of bandits.” Astyages finished his coffee and banged the cup down, engaging the magnet hold. “Violent crimes. That’s when you ask us for help. You don’t pursue smuggling operations.”

“I work with Customs regarding smuggling.”

“Drugs!” Astyages seemed to feel he’d scored a point.

Max drank his coffee.

“I don’t care who your father is.”

The recent revelation that his father was President John Smith had changed how people interacted with Max. He recognized the Admiral’s behavior. The man wanted to address the topic of the meeting—bandits, apparently—but like touching a sore tooth with the tip of your tongue, he couldn’t resist circling back to the topic of Max’s parentage and all the baggage of power and responsibilities that came with it.

“I don’t care for politics,” Astyages asserted. “I’ve been assigned to the frontier because I won’t play those games.”

“I don’t play them either.” Max replaced his half-full cup on the desk.

Read on https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XGGNLHR/

Postscript

Just a quick note that “specter” has two meanings. The first is ghost. The second is the fear that something bad might happen, e.g. the specter of famine stalked the land.