I ‘discovered’ Jack Campbell (a pen name of John G. There may be another reason for the war between the Alliance and the Syndics and as this novel, ‘The Lost Fleet: Dauntless’ ends, another clue is revealed. The story of his personal journey, his struggle against himself, is as enjoyable a read as the military tactics and engagements with the enemy. Nevertheless, the strength of character that drove his actions in the past inspires him to do his best in the future. Others believe he might best have been left in his hibernation pod and sometimes he agrees with them. Some believe he can do anything he is after all a legend. He struggles to embrace the newer, more aggressive attitude and balance it with better discipline and has to deal with hero-worship and disdain. The century long war has eroded the Alliance he once knew and he strives to find a balance between the way things are done now and they way they were done then. The flagship, Dauntless, must return to Alliance space.īattling legend and superstition, Geary thinks his way out of one situation after another. Placed in command of the modern Alliance Fleet, he faces an enemy superior in numbers and firepower and this time he does not have the option of sacrifice. Before he can reconcile past and present, he is called on to serve again. Frozen for a hundred years, he remembers his last engagement with the enemy as if it was yesterday and is discomfited by the official version of events and his status as legend. When the fleet assembles in the same star system as that long ago battle, to face the same enemy, they discover a hibernation pod. John Geary remembers history differently. Black Jack was remembered as both daring and fearless. He was posthumously awarded the rank of captain and his name became synonymous with the decisive action. The story of his last action inspired a legend known by everyone in the Alliance Fleet. John ‘Black Jack’ Geary died a hero just over a century ago.

Dauntless by Jack Campbell