Tom Briggs

The Picus Redoubt Tom Briggs

In 2169, two intelligent lifeforms inhabit the moon, Titan. Only one will rule the galaxy. Pati Lynch is the prisoner of Harry Meldrom, the man who railroaded her into a murder conviction, and is admittingly possessed by an alien. He wants to deal because he's concerned his people will be exterminated in a war with the humans, which he believes his leader is leading them into. Pati doesn't believe he cares about the billions of human lives that would be lost, however, she needs to get back to Picus, and he arranges it. He needs her because with the assassination of Kerry McLear, Pati has the strongest claim to inherit McLear Industries, and the power that goes with it. The mayor of Karakorum declared independence despite a failed referendum, and announced McLear Industries property of the state. Without Pati, the remaining leadership on Picus would be forced to submit. Pati's problem becomes resisting the mayor's hostile takeover. The mayor has recruited a military force, which nobody believes is just for parades. Karakorum has ten-times the population of Picus and there's no expectation they can repel that army after it lands. McLear Industries resurrects a mass launcher, which fires at speeds that will atomize invading ships. Pati resolved never to kill again after her ordeal on Enceladus, but now she's a major player in world events. Can she keep that resolution and ensure humanity is not conquered by an alien invasion?