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Mercenary troops -- Fiction Books
Best books
Joseph E. (Joseph Everidge) Kelleam
The Eagles Gather
"The Eagles Gather" by Joseph E. Kelleam is a science fiction story that was published in the early 1940s. The narrative explores the aftermath of a devastating conflict between various warlords and their mercenaries, focusing on themes of human greed, ambition, and the consequences of unchecked violence. The setting is a desolate, post-apocalyptic Earth, where resources are scarce, and the characters are left to grapple with their choices and the futility of their previous pursuits. The story revolves around Jim Duane, a professional soldier who finds himself waiting on a ruined landing field after the mercenary wars, reflecting on the destruction that has befallen humanity. He encounters a series of characters, including a self-proclaimed "Captain" and two other drifters, each with their own troubled pasts. As they engage in a tense, survival-focused dialogue, the story peaks with a violent confrontation involving a man named Ted Shafer, who claims to know the location of uranium, a highly coveted resource. The narrative ultimately addresses the lessons of personal growth and self-control, implying that humanity must first conquer its internal battles before venturing into the stars once more.
James R. Adams
Formula for Conquest
"Formula for Conquest" by James R. Adams is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1940s. The book follows a soldier of fortune named Tod Mulhane, who gets embroiled in an interplanetary conflict involving multiple planets and their respective forces. The central theme revolves around Professor August Q. Twilken's formula, which has the potential to accelerate the evolution of the primitive inhabitants of Venus, thus impacting the power dynamics among the Allied Worlds and their adversaries. The story begins when Mulhane encounters Professor Twilken in a Martian bar, who reveals a desperate plan to avert an impending interplanetary war by using his transformative formula to gain an edge over their enemies. However, their mission becomes complicated when they attract the attention of Mon Pordo, a Jovian agent eager to steal the formula for his own nefarious purposes. After being captured, Mulhane and Twilken find themselves imprisoned but ultimately orchestrate a clever escape. The climax unfolds in a dramatic confrontation at the Jovian palace, where Mulhane disrupts a pivotal meeting with a daring plan to thwart Pordo and his allies, ultimately leading to their downfall. The narrative presents a blend of action, adventure, and a critique of ambition-driven conflicts, revealing Mulhane's resilience and ingenuity amidst chaotic circumstances.
Mack Reynolds
Mercenary
"Mercenary" by Mack Reynolds is a science fiction novel published in 1968. In a future where Western society is divided into rigid castes, Joe Mauser, a Mid-Lower soldier, sees one chance for upward mobility: military service. Corporations now settle disputes through televised battles using pre-1900 technology. When Mauser joins an underdog company in a high-stakes corporate war, he bets everything on an untested tactical innovation that could defeat the finest commander in the business—and finally elevate him to the Upper caste.
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