The Catalyst - Book 1: A Space Opera Adventure of Military Agents, Rebels and Corruption in a Fractured Galactic Empire

Chris Reher

Feb 2014 · The Targon Tales: Nova Whiteside Book 1 · Chris Reher

About this ebook

Lieutenant Nova Whiteside expected a routine transport mission. Instead, her ship is hijacked by rebels—and she is marked for termination by her own people.

The only thing that might explain it is the strange alien cargo she was escorting... and the staggering levels of systemic corruption someone will deploy to keep it, and Nova, from reaching their destination.

Stranded, hunted, and now officially AWOL from the very galactic empire she swore to protect, Nova has only one option left: Sethran Kada—a former lover she never expected to see again.

There’s just one problem. They’re now on opposite sides of a growing war between the Union and a rising rebel force.

As they escape into the dark, narrow gap between political compromise and doing what is right, they uncover something far more dangerous than a single hit order—a conspiracy to destroy an entire world, and the truth behind an alien lifeform that may be the only thing keeping them alive.

And this time, choosing a side may cost her everything.

"...a fun, action-filled romp through space, with a variety of non-human creatures and species." (From over 650 Amazon reviews) “From the opening page, which begins in the middle of the action, we are taken for a ride to enjoy.”

Science Fiction & Space Opera Series by Chris Reher: Space opera, first contact, alien invasion, galactic empire, military sci-fi, space travel, free first in series

Nova Whiteside - The Targon Tales

A character-driven space opera following an Air Command pilot navigating rebellion, politics, and shifting loyalties across the galactic empire.

0 - Sky Hunter - (a Prequel)

2 - The Catalyst - A First Contact Adventure

3 -Only Human - A Military Space Opera

4 - Rebel Alliances - An espionage Thriller

5 - Delphi Promised - A First Contact Thriller

Sethran Kada - The Targon Tales: Sethran

A government agent pretending to be a rebel — or a rebel pretending to be a government agent. Sometimes even he isn’t sure anymore.

1 - Quantum Tangle - A First Contact Thriller

2 - Terminus Shift - A Galactic Espionage Thriller

3 - Entropy's End - An Alien Conspiracy Thriller

4 - Killian's Maze - A Deep Space Thriller

The Outbounder Chronicles

Explorers and prospectors push beyond the edge of human space, where habitable worlds are rare and every journey into the unknown carries risk.

- Metamorph

For series info, updates, and character gallery visit ChrisReher.com

Ratings and reviews

The series gets better half way into book 2. This series starts slow and confusing on plot but mainly with characters' story. Good writing and keeps things interesting. Overall not bad but challenging dealing with interspecies romance('till bk.2). 4/5 rating for series but 3.75 for this book. Works as standalone or similar to book 0.

if you enjoy hamilton (maybe a bit less techno), and you don't enjoy over the top macho or sterile startrek, this is for you. The universe of Reher has depth and nice concepts. Worth your while! I have been reading sf for 49 years now and this ranks pretty high on my bookshelf.

fast paced quality entertainment. double agents, ruthless commanders all spun over myriad worlds and peoples.

About the author

Living in Canada, it is inevitable that those who lack enthusiasm for snow-related activities tend to stay indoors for a good portion of the year.

Thank goodness for computers. And sci-fi. And eBooks! I've always loved fantasy worlds and writing about what might be possible, given a certain suspension of disbelief and a rude assault upon the laws of physics.

Since I've always suspected that there is far too much gravity on this planet, I tend to take my people to other worlds.

Please visit my web site at www.chrisreher.com for info about my books and some of the (non-fiction) science behind some of the concepts used in the stories.