Orphan's Test: The Core Empire Book I
About this ebook
For nearly one thousand years, the Core Empire has held together thousands of star systems and billions of citizens. But a coup attempt has broken the empire into pieces. Some planets and systems have survived and still have law and order. Others have fallen to barbarism and piracy. For young Hugh Cascade, this is but a history lesson, even if the nightmares of kinetic weapons exploding have followed him through most of his childhood.
Ten years later, the war finds Hugh, now a military cadet. Under the gentle guidance of Marine Sgt Major Ward, Hugh has grown into a strong—and headstrong—young man. But the truth has never been shared with him: Hugh Cascade is an heir to the throne, perhaps the last, and the traitors will do anything to eliminate him.
Before they can, Hugh must make the decision of a lifetime: To take the Test of Heirs to prove his worthiness to rule an empire . . . or die trying.
The first in an exciting new trilogy, Orphan’s Test is classic science fiction at its best.
About the author
Richard Coxson is an American original. He has canoed whitewater, hiked wilderness, camped in all types of conditions, lived on four continents, walked with the infantry in the arctic and mountains, fallen more than twenty feet in an industrial accident, almost been killed by a semi and generally done things most people are too smart to do.
Growing up as an army brat, he lived in Europe and four states. Following high school, he spent two years in Brazil during its Marxist revolution as a missionary. Graduating with majors in international relations and political science, he joined the US Army. His resume in the army includes MP platoon leader, battalion and brigade fire support officer, division training officer, nuclear targeting officer, nuclear codes custodian, captain of a championship marksmanship team and member of the Western US artillery evaluation team. After the Army, his experiences were many and varied before he retired to write full-time.
Most importantly, he married his college sweetheart and they have six children and more than twenty grandchildren.
