The Chaplain's War
Brad R. Torgersen
Baen, Oct 7 2014, $15.00
ISBN: 9781476736853
In the middle of the twenty-second century, the alien
Mantes cyborgs invaded human space with one objective: total genocide. The humans fought back but the enemy proved
superior. Five years ago the Mantes defeated
an invading force and captured Chaplain Assistant Harrison Barlow and many
other soldiers on a planet the POWs call Purgatory. With the Chaplain dead, Harrison helps his
fellow prisoners keep the faith though he avoids any specific religion. Two years ago he completed a chapel for those
who want to pray alongside him to God for deliverance.
A Mantis, who tells Harrison he is equivalent to
a Professor, visits him constantly to learn more about the Holy Man’s belief in
an invisible God. The Professor explains
humanity is the third essence the Mantes have met that believes in an indiscernible
guiding spirit. When Harrisons asks the
Mantis what his race believes in; the Professor responds “nothing”. While Harrison teaches the Professor about
human spiritualty, some of his race feels he betrays them while some of the
Mantis’ race insists it is insignificant what the enemy thinks.
This intriguing science fiction is told in three
parts (with one and two modifications of previously released “The Chaplain’s
Assistant” and “The Chaplain’s Legacy”) and the third section ("The
Chaplain’s War") totally new. The expansion
enhances the fascinating focus on two species at war with differing social
values especially highlighted by a to believe or not to believe in a deity; ironically
most members of each race share in common the competitive drive for all out
victory. Thus the Chaplain Assistant and
The Professor are outliers as they thrive for understanding of each other’s
respective species, which is a step towards all out peace.
Harriet Klausner
No comments:
Post a Comment