Shield of Lantius

By David C. Corbett, David Corbett, David Corbett

Flying his Harrier, Major Dar Fantin stares into the North Carolina night sky with skepticism. Stopping in mid-flight is impossible at thirty-eight thousand feet, but that's exactly what an orange ball of light was doing. That was one of the last thoughts Dar had as he was sucked aboard the Nanta. Held captive, along with twenty-three other fighter pilots from around the world, he is assigned a guide. Littia educates her charge, imparting the language and historical background of Lantius. The Lantiusians have come to help Earth ward off an assault by the Womongly, a warring race in search of natural resources. Supreme Commander Jicama will provide everything required, including space fighters to carry the fight to the enemy, but the Lantiusians will not personally engage the Womongly. Their religion forbids killing.

Dar is elected Commanding Officer of Space Fighter Squadron - One. As the unit's new commander, he leads an attack on the Womongly ship, Dectima, losing several men, but annihilating many of the ill-prepared enemy's Strike Dragons. The squadron doesn't understand why the Womongly are not better fighter pilots but is pleased they are not.

A Lantiusian pet, the utapotus, befriends Dar. Through this small ugly animal, he and Littia can "mind talk." Dar's being chosen by the utapotus distresses Littia, as such an event is foretold in Lantuisian religious doctrine. Is Dar The One? If he is, it could mark the end of Lantuisian society. She hides her knowledge from Supreme Commander Jicama, who closely scrutinizes the actions of his guests.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CRNS759B
• ISBN13: 9798890913876
• Release Date: January 2024
• Publisher: Readersmagnet LLC
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Marine in Space

My neighbor at our summer lake cabin, David C. Corbett, a former Marine Lt. Col Harrier Pilot wrote his first science fiction novel, which I like to think of as a Marine in Space. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Super Sci Fi !!

This book was a great summer read, come to think of it, fall, winter, and spring too ! I am a Sci Fi fan, and this book really fit the bill, not too much techno that I couldn't follow and in the aerial fight scenes .... I could even keep track of who was where. This authors talents in an aircraft really showed, felt like I was flying with him. And just romance for the girl in me.I can't wait for the sequel (in a series)? The plot was intriguing, with a good solid story line and filled with many twists and surprises. This one grabbed right me right away and I was hooked.

A Breath-taking Read! Movie Potential !

By the time I finished Col. Corbett's book, I was totally impressed, emotionally wrung, and awed by the story-telling ability of this former marine fighter pilot! His talent for character description is vivid without being verbose. The action is non-stop and there are unexpected twists and turns to the plot, leaving the outcome in doubt until the end - hints or no hints. It is a fun read, whether or not one is a sci-fi afficionado . Here there is a disturbingly "real" aspect to this tale of other worlds vs earth. Are we so naive as to think we are alone?All aspects of the plot, including the charming love story, are masterfully integrated, so that the story flows on in an exciting fashion which, while convoluted, can clearly be followed. The aerial combat scenes obviously reflect the authors considerable prowess as a fighter pilot. Turning the last page only made me wish that the sequel in this trilogy was already in print. A fascinating, well-crafted tale which would make a great movie! Kudos, Colonel.

Behind the Sheild

Ordinarily I'm no rader of science fiction; I've spent 30 years teaching college students the likes of Faulkner & frost. As a consequence, I was surprised by Corbett's Sheild of Lantius because I'd expected less than I found here. Corbett's plotting is impeccably handled and, for an other-worldly setting, strangely real. When the hero, Dar, meets and is instantly attracted to the lovely alien, Littia, this reader was crying, "Predictable!" to the friend who'd been pushing the book. Not so. The hero's journey around the spaceship, back to the earth, and into the very bowels of the enemy spaceship gradually deepen his knowledge and ours: the lovely Littia has a dark secret; her Senior Commander has a much darker one. What I'd seen as the obligatory "love interest" became ultimately so compelling that I found myself wishing the author would hurry up with the sequel in this trilogy. But the best are the wild air-to-air batttles Dar & his game band of jet fighter pilots engage in to defend first their adopted spaceship, then earth. Perhaps because of his own flying experiences with the USMC, Corbett made these battles come alive. Despite the editing (misspellings, etc.), I add my strong recommendation to that of the friend who first said I'd find this a pleasurable read.