Second Chances

First Command, Book 2

By: Michael Simon

Narrated by: Ryan Kennard Burke

Humanity’s war with the Coven is going badly.

Fleet simply doesn’t have the ships or the manpower to counter the alien’s vast reserves, so Cole Jackson is hauled out of his self-imposed exile and ordered back to the front. The Admirals are gambling on a miracle; that he and his crew can repeat the success of his First Command by repairing vessels and sending them into battle. And maybe snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Fleet has been gathering damaged and deserted ships in a remote system on the edge of human-controlled space. Without transport, Jackson’s crew must travel on an obsolete military simulator, without shields or weapons. When they run into a Coven warship, it’s all Jackson can do to keep them alive as both ships crash-land on the planet.

In a running battle with cyborg warriors, Jackson must avoid alien patrols, build rudimentary weapons, and cobble together some type of ship that would see them escape the death planet and change the course of the war.

Book 2 of a science fiction thrill ride about a crew of young soldiers mustering the courage to fight back against both a vicious alien enemy, and the terrifying void of being stranded in space. It's perfect for fans of Daniel Gibbs, J.N. Chaney, and Vaughn Heppner!

©2025 Aethon Books (P)2025 Aethon Audio

Seatbelts?

Most of the injuries are from not inventing seatbelts. Like a 5 point harness removes most injuries.

As advertised a group of young engineers overcoming obstacles

Too many highly unlikely rescues, depressing amounts of cruelty. They take a great captain and send him to scavenge a fighting vessel when his tactical expertise is non pareil? Also, a LASER beam laying waste to an entire settlement? Like to see better Science in this fiction, less cruelty and exploding Scotsmen.

Not as good as the first.

I really enjoyed the last book but this one has fallen flat for me. I won't drop big spoilers, but listening to space navy folks badly try ground warfare was almost painful. The former Hoods crew have a really weird skill set when they know know and accomplish such fantastical feats while at the same time missing so many basics.

firetruck

Firetruck yah just that great book great reader love it 15 word minimum...... damit I am not a big talker

More like a spinoff

Not nearly as good as the first one; there is more drama and just unbelievable characters