THE CATALYST
Book 1 of 5 - Currently a FREE introduction to the series
It's no easy tour of duty for Lt. Nova Whiteside when her interstellar transport is taken by pirates and she is tagged for termination.
Now MIA, any chance of escape leaves her no choice but to rely on Sethran Kada, a former lover, for help. Unfortunately, they are now on opposite sides of an escalating war between the Air Command and an increasingly dangerous rebel organization.
About This Series
The Targon Tales Series
Sky Hunter
→The Catalyst
Only Human
Rebel Alliances
Delphi Promised
In this Nova Whiteside adventure, Nova is drawn into a scheme of corruption and malfeasance that continues her dawning awareness that the Air Command that employs her might not actually be "the good guys", a theme that continues throughout her, as well as Sethran's, series of books.
The Catalyst is a whirlwind tour of some of the key planets within the Trans-Targon sector, some of which appear in later stories. Trans-Targon is a densely populated galactic sector discovered and organized into a Commonwealth by the industrious Centauri who are not even indigenous to the region. Their sometimes heavy-handed, if usually benevolent, rule of the sector has given rise to a number of rebel factions, some merely voices of protest, others dangerousy militant.
The story also hints at some mystery behind the possibly shared origin of the major species inhabiting Trans-Targon. Are they really separate species or did something happen, long ago, that seeded life among these planets as well as the very distant Terra-Centauri systems?
I have to admit that I've inserted a something a little cheeky into The Catalyst. Upon hearing that I write science fiction someone said "What, stories with space beams and things with tentacles?" I think it's because of that individual that I made the Naiads like cephalopods. Only prettier.
About the "Prequel". I wrote Sky Hunter because some readers wanted more backstory for Nova. Turns out that Nova's first deployment was a hard lesson on many levels and the story is a little darker than the rest of the series. However, technically, the series begins with Sky Hunter.
What readers had to say
"A really enjoyable space opera with a female protagonist. It's been too long since I found science fiction that kept me wanting to read through the night. I'll definitely be seeking out some more from this author."
"The story moves along fast, but there are times when it slows and we get to enjoy and appreciate the fascinating world and its people Reher has created."
"The writing is good and so seemlessly appropriate that you never once notice it. Instead your are instantly immersed into an adventure ride that encompasses aliens, spaceships and FTL and yet feels very 'real'."
"I think I've discovered a new addition to my list of good authors to watch for new releases."