Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space by H. Peter Alesso

Welcome Peeps. Today, we have H. Peter Alesso and his book Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space.

Space Rep:  Did he bring a prize?

Liza: A very nice one. $100 Gift card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, winners choice.

Space Rep: Oh I want that. How do I win?

Liza: Well, Peter has a rafflecopter at the bottom of this blog, so click on it and follow directions. But first let's teleport  Peter over and interrogate him a bit.

Welcome Peter!  Looks like we've grabbed you from a wedding.

Space Rep: By his 'what the hell did I just do expression' I think it was his wedding.

Liza: You might be right. Better port him right back. I don't want an angry bridezilla after me.

Space Rep: Does that mean you need to interview me instead of him?

Liza: No need for acts of desperation. My teleporter was able to capture his intended answers to my questions.

Space Rep: That's cool.

Liza: Let's find out. <TELEPORT EXTRACTION: LIZA O'S STUPID QUESTIONS> 

Imagination question:

1)    Describe your spaceship and how you came to own it…if you do own it..

I use mental transcendence to travel beyond the mundane confines of Earth’s gravity. By using my knowledge of the planets and space environment I visualize my journey through space between the planets and beyond. This method of ‘teleportation’ develops a sense of great freedom and independence.

Scientific Question:

2)    Do you believe in Multiverses? (also known as parallel universes.?

Physics is one of the great intellectual accomplishments of the humanity. The success of the Standard Model and the verification of the Higgs boson consolidated our understanding of particle physics and astrophysics. The jury is still out on outstanding candidate models such as SuperSymmetry and SuperString theory that expand the three forces of the Standard Model to include gravity. The 11 dimension universe of SuperString theory offers a complex configuration with many attractive theoretical solutions. But stepping beyond SuperString toward Brand theory and a Multiverse is intriguing. However, with each mental stretch we find ourselves further from experimentally verifiable evidence.

That’s why science fiction should investigate this topic. Imagination is our sole instrument for investigation. And our judgment thus becomes our only form of verification - through inductive reasoning.

However, when dealing with ‘what is’ and ‘what may be’, we need to selective. Who knows if in the multiverse of possibilities, we have already settled this question?

<Space Rep: I think my head just exploded. >

Reader Question:

3)    Do you think humor has a place in Sci Fi?  What about romance?

Humor and romance are intrinsic to the human spirit. Each displays a vital aspect of each character in a story. The problem is that both human and romance are difficult to include in a complex story because they may require significant personality development to express and that may distract from the central arc of the action of the story. A strong writer should be able to engage both of these essential human characteristic within the context of his main story line.

Real Life Question:

4)    What event occurred in your life that has influenced your novels?

As an officer serving aboard nuclear submarines, my experiences in volatile and hazardous situations gave me an important appreciation of my shipmates and friends. I think this is reflected in the characters in my novel.

Writing Questions:

5)    What is your favorite part of writing? 

Science fiction novels provide wonderful adventures in unexpected places with unusual characters and strange circumstance. I’ve enjoyed them all my life including stories such as Jack Campbell’s The Lost Fleet series and it inspired a story that I wanted to share. Midshipman Henry Gallant was the result.

6)    What part of your book was the hardest to write?

I feel that science fiction should be based upon actual scientific principles. I researched the technology included in the story and tried to project their development path into the next century. Genetic engineering is current an important topic in our society and humanity faced difficult choices as it develops over the course of the next century. In Midshipman Henry Gallant, genetic engineering plays an influential role in the background but it is cast against another important innovation that also may prove a future threat: Artificial Intelligence.

Downright Silly Questions:

7)    If you met an alien from outer space, how would  you explain what you  (as an author) actually do.

Communication is everything when contacting strangers. That makes science fiction authors essential to any scenario involving aliens.

I’m waiting for a call from NASA.

</END TELEPORT EXTRACTION>

Space Rep: Oh I love the cover. He reminds me of a young Horatio Hornblower.

Liza: He does! And I believe Horiatio was a midshipmen as well.

Space Rep: Ship's a bit different.

Liza: Significantly different.

Space Rep:  So what's it about?

Liza: Here's the blurb:

As the last star fighter in squadron 111, Midshipman Henry Gallant is on his way from Jupiter to Mars. With the United Planets' fleet on the verge of annihilation, he can expect no help as he passes through the asteroid belt and threatening aliens. With so much uncertainty about the aliens’ capabilities and intentions, analyzing the captured computer equipment in Gallant’s possession could prove crucial.

The fate of Earth could rest on the abilities of Midshipman Henry Gallant. Unfortunately, it is his abilities that have been much in doubt during his tour of duty. In an era of genetic engineering, he is the only Natural (non-genetically enhanced) officer left in the fleet. His classmates and superior officers have all expressed their concern that he will not be up to the demands of the space service. Only bright and attractive junior officer Kelsey Mitchel has shown any sympathy for him. Now as his navigator on the last fighter in squadron 111, her life as well as a good many others, depends of Henry Gallant.

Excerpt

Gallant stood at attention inside the open hatch. Captain Kenneth Caine was seated with his back to Gallant while he reviewed Gallant’s military record on a computer tablet. Clean-shaven with close-cropped graying hair, Caine was solidly built with square shoulders and a craggy face.

From his short time on board, Gallant had already realized that the Repulse was an orderly ship and that Kenneth Caine was an orderly captain. Precision and disciple were expected. He was suddenly conscious of the fact that his tangled brown hair was somewhat longer than regulations allowed.

The cabin was sparely furnished, revealing a traditional stark military room. A desk rested in one well lit corner and held the single personal item in the room, a photo. It showed an attractive mature woman with a pleasant smile. It hinted of someone who had made a bad bargain – that of the lonely wife of a devoted space officer.

While the captain rapidly slid his finger across the tablet screen, flipping through the personnel folder, Gallant’s gaze wandered to the scene visible from the compartment’s porthole. The solar flare had subsided, leaving gigantic colorful Jupiter filling most of the view.

“Mr. Gallant, come in,” said Caine, finally turning to face the newcomer. “Welcome aboard the Repulse.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Gallant in a strong clear voice.

“What do you know of this ship’s mission, Mr. Gallant?”

“As flagship of the Jupiter Fleet, Repulse is required to prevent further alien encroachment along the Jupiter frontier, sir,” ventured Gallant cautiously.

“Quite right, as far as it goes. But you’ll find Mr. Gallant, that there are often more layers involved than may appear on the surface. As a United Planets' (UP) officer, it is your responsibility to find the additional shades of meaning that can affect the performance of your duties. What would you surmise is behind this frontier watch?” The captain’s reassuring voice beckoned a resolute answer.

Gallant spoke guardedly, at first, but then with growing confidence he said, “Well, sir, UP knows little about the aliens' origins or intentions. They appear to have bases on the satellites of the outer planets. Clashes with their scout ships have proven troublesome and Fleet Command wants to gather more intelligence. With so little known about the alien technology, it’s difficult to assess the best way to repel them. Nevertheless, this fleet is tasked with forestalling any possibility of an invasion of Earth by preventing the aliens from gaining a foothold in this sector of space.”

BUY LINK

Amazon 
(and everywhere else) 

A book trailer so fabulous I had to embed it!

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

As a scientist and author specializing in technology innovation, H. Peter Alesso has over twenty years research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As Engineering Group Leader at LLNL he led a team of computer scientists and engineers in innovative applications across a wide range of supercomputers, workstations and networks. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. and served in the U.S. Navy on nuclear submarines before completing an M.S. and an advanced Engineering Degree at M.I.T. He has published several software titles and numerous scientific journal and conference articles, and he is the author/co-author of six books. (Website www.hpeteralesso.com)

Contact: H. Peter Alesso

 alesso@comcast.net 

 www.hpeteralesso.com

Liza: To enter to win the fabulous prize that Space Rep wants, click on this Rafflecopter and follow instructions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To increase probability of winning $100 Gift Card, follow and obey commands at all tour stops

 http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/vbt-midshipman-henry-gallant-in-space.html

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