Rise of the Free Fleet Series by Michael Chatfield

The Kalu-Union war ended a century ago, driving both forces back to their home-systems. The Planetary Defense Force (PDF) which had protected the Union for thirty years was left weakened by the long war. The Syndicate, a group of criminals banded together under the harsh rule of Lady Fairgate exploited this weakness, destroying the PDF and breaking the Union apart. Bored and not wanting to deal with the managing of their own ships, or taking planets... moreThe Kalu-Union war ended a century ago, driving both forces back to their home-systems. The Planetary Defense Force (PDF) which had protected the Union for thirty years was left weakened by the long war. The Syndicate, a group of criminals banded together under the harsh rule of Lady Fairgate exploited this weakness, destroying the PDF and breaking the Union apart. Bored and not wanting to deal with the managing of their own ships, or taking planets. They expanded the Union under the guise of the PDF, using creatures as unknowing slaves to their desires. James Cook is rarely known by his real name. For the past four years he's been playing Mecha Assault One. He is Salchar, the leader and strategist of the gaming team Mecha Tail. After a year hiatus, Mecha Tail and their enemy, Samurai's Revenge are about to finally go head to head when space craft start abducting children, teenagers and young adults. The Planetary Defense Force (PDF) need soldiers; how many that die from training is of no concern. The battles have become real and James Cook must become Salchar to keep himself, his squad and those that have been recruited into the PDF's ranks alive. One AI and a crazed engineer know the truth about the PDF and must decide whether to trust Salchar with that knowledge. less

Salchar and the Free Fleet are tired, low on resources, man power and ships that should actually be flying. Yet they have a mandate, free those that are being oppressed. Sarenmenti, Humans, Kuruvians, Chaleelians and the genetic creations of the AI called the Planner, Avarians, band together under the banner of the Free Fleet to go to the fleet’s birthplace-Earth. Life is nothing but a battle for a survival, and Salchar is going to have to use all of his skills to keep his people alive... moreSalchar and the Free Fleet are tired, low on resources, man power and ships that should actually be flying. Yet they have a mandate, free those that are being oppressed. Sarenmenti, Humans, Kuruvians, Chaleelians and the genetic creations of the AI called the Planner, Avarians, band together under the banner of the Free Fleet to go to the fleet’s birthplace-Earth. Life is nothing but a battle for a survival, and Salchar is going to have to use all of his skills to keep his people alive. The galaxy has a few surprises to throw his way, as well as some polticians up to their own games. Salchar is going to wish for battles instead of dealing with the twisted minds of politicians and a people that think they are still the centre of the universe. less

Earth is safe for now, with it came some much needed surprises. Though if Salchar was expecting a break he’s in for a rude awakening, well he’s already done that once…. but anyway. Lady Fairgate has sensed something has gone wrong at Parnmal. Thinking that Jorsht is now trying to carve out his own little kingdom, she sends Captain Kelu, one of her favourite enforcers with the largest Syndicate Fleet assembled since the Syndicate and the Union went head to head... moreEarth is safe for now, with it came some much needed surprises. Though if Salchar was expecting a break he’s in for a rude awakening, well he’s already done that once…. but anyway. Lady Fairgate has sensed something has gone wrong at Parnmal. Thinking that Jorsht is now trying to carve out his own little kingdom, she sends Captain Kelu, one of her favourite enforcers with the largest Syndicate Fleet assembled since the Syndicate and the Union went head to head. Though Kelu is in for some nasty surprises when he reaches Parnmal, Jorsht isn’t home and this little bit of space is defended by the Free Fleet. Salchar and his people are going to have to pull some major tricks out of their hats to survive the defense of Parnmal. It’s time to see if the Free Fleet has what it takes to survive. No matter what the outcome, their going to make sure no one is going to forget their names. less

The Universe isn’t always as it appears, this is something that the Free Fleet has learnt time and time again. As a threat, thought to be wiped out returns, the Free Fleet will have to face an oncoming war. Salchar will have to overcome his anger and decide which of his enemies he will trust, and which one’s time has run out. He might be the commander of the Free Fleet but there is no way he’s staying out of this fight. Fleet commanders will step up to take command of true fleets and warships... moreThe Universe isn’t always as it appears, this is something that the Free Fleet has learnt time and time again. As a threat, thought to be wiped out returns, the Free Fleet will have to face an oncoming war. Salchar will have to overcome his anger and decide which of his enemies he will trust, and which one’s time has run out. He might be the commander of the Free Fleet but there is no way he’s staying out of this fight. Fleet commanders will step up to take command of true fleets and warships. Though when the black’s own creatures come tearing out from children’s nightmares. The Free Fleet will not shy away, they will not give up, their childhood was ripped away, but they will fight for other’s to have a place to grow, free from fear, free from war. It’s the Free Fleet, some might call them insane, might call them lunatics and hell they’d probably agree! It’s going to take some lunatics to charge into the breach. less

The Kalu aren’t a long lost nightmare anymore. They came from the black. They destroyed Rosho. They ravaged Heija. That was just the scouting force. Their coming back. Power those reactors, charge those rail cannons and ready the fighters. The Free Fleet is going to war.

The Second Kalu War rages across known space. The newly formed Union undergoes it’s first baptism, the baptism of war. The Free Fleet is barely holding the line against the Kalu. Salchar and the other commanders of the Free Fleet have one goal. Survive. As war rages politics and power brokering are at work behind the scenes in the Union. Even if the Free Fleet survives the war, will they survive it's aftermath?