In the Spotlight: Lieutenant Henry Gallant by H. Peter Alesso
Title: Lieutenant Henry Gallant
Author: H. Peter Alesso
Publisher: Video Software Publishing
Pages: 320
Genre: Science fiction space opera
Format: Paperback/Kindle
Author: H. Peter Alesso
Publisher: Video Software Publishing
Pages: 320
Genre: Science fiction space opera
Format: Paperback/Kindle
In an era of
genetic engineering, Lieutenant Henry Gallant is the only Natural
(non-genetically enhanced) officer left in the fleet. Many of his superiors,
including rival Anton Neumann, have expressed concern he is not up to the
challenge. However, his unique mental abilities have proven essential to the
defense of the United Planets in its fight against the Titan invaders.
Serving on the first
FTL prototype, the Intrepid,
on its maiden voyage to Tau Ceti, Gallant finds a lost colony on the planet
Elysium. Cyrus Wolfe and his son, manipulate planet politics against the
democratic opposition led by James Hepburn and his granddaughter Alaina. Wolfe
has allied himself with an ancient Artificial Intelligence which had lain
dormant on the planet for millennia, but is now willing to protect the
colonists against the Titans.
With Alaina’s help,
Gallant discovers the ancient AI has a sinister ulterior motive and he matches
his unique and exceptional mind against the complexity of machine intelligence
to escape the ultimate trap and prevent the extermination of humanity.
In Lieutenant Henry Gallant, one
man pits the naked human mind against the perspicacity of machine intelligence.
Bang!
The noise startled everyone.
The conference room door had been slammed against the
wall with enough force to produce the loud bang—calling a halt to the
proceedings and focusing attention on the arrival of a young slender blonde
with a shapely figure, dressed in rugged outdoor hiking gear, who marched
boldly into the room. She was about a year or two younger than Gallant, perhaps
twenty.
She dominated everyone’s attention. It wasn’t because she
was so shockingly belligerent as to require an immediate rejoinder, though she
was clearly intent on being provocative—nor was she was so strikingly beautiful
so as to inflame male passions, yet she was certainly attractive. No, she
dominated the situation, despite portraying a rebellious joy of life, because
of her defiant bearing, her air of resolution, and her dogged expression—all of
which were so clearly evident—by marching, hands on hips, into the focal point
of the room, thereby demanding the immediate and undivided attention of all
present.
“Alaina, you are
interrupting important state business. What do you want?” demanded Wolfe,
standing up to express his annoyance with her theatrical appearance.
Wolfe’s carefully crafted mask of self-assurance had
slipped.
“My grandfather is unable to attend, so he asked me to
take his place, which is his prerogative. Certainly that’s allowed? Isn’t it?”
she asked with an authoritative voice, shifting her gaze from one council member
to another, causing them to fidget in their seats as her stare met theirs.
Clearly internal politics were at play, but Gallant was
wary of how he should interact with this new dynamic in the room.
Wolfe heaved a sign of resignation and sputtered, “Well—of
course—under those circumstances, you’re welcome. Please sit. Here, sit next to
me.”
Alaina brushed back her long flowing blonde hair and
walked toward Gallant instead. “Well aren’t you going to introduce me to this
officer?” she asked.
Again Wolfe heaved a sign of resignation, this time
deeper and more sustained. “Lieutenant Gallant, this is Alaina Hepburn,
granddaughter of Professor James Hepburn, a leading citizen, a member of this
council, and our leading expert on cybernetics.”
“I’m glad to meet you, Ms. Hepburn,” said Gallant,
standing and offering his hand.
“A pleasure, Lieutenant.” Alaina bowed her head slightly,
but kept her hands clasped to her hips.
A moment later, to Gallant’s surprise, she flashed him a
luminescent smile and took the seat beside him, tapping her fingers impatiently
on the top of the table. With her hair pulled back from her face, the creamy
beauty of her skin was exposed.
Gallant took his place beside her.
Thank you for hosting.
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