"Action Packed Space Opera Sequel"

OF DUTY AND DEATH is the sequel to OF HONOR AND TREASON. It has been four years since the meeting of Eivaunee Dorlan, human, head of the Dorlan Estates and the most powerful Consenti Family of the Klimar Empire, a starship Captain, and Zsar't'lac, a humanoid alien Hsassan, a race of fierce warriors from the Norda Homelands, now his second in command. Over the years the pair had formed an unusual friendship based on honor and trust. Still Zsar't'lac has yet to confide in Eivaunee that he is the Hassan Qtesark, the Genetic Messiah of his people, from whom all future generations were to have been bred.

That was before Zsar't'lac had refused to wage war on the humans, before he committed the ultimate act of treason by defecting to the Klimar empire.

In the homelands, Zsar't'lac's bearer is planning rebellion. Zsar't'lac for his part is learning everything he can about the humans in order to be able to convince his kind of the futility of war between the two species. He knows that this would be disastrous for them both. Though his people would undoubtedly prevail in battle, the humans are tenacious. They would not accept slave status, would not accept defeat with the Hsassan concept of honor. The Hsassan have no concept of guerilla warfare. Once defeated it they have been raised to welcome death. They would not be able to control their captives for long.

And yet a small few are preparing to go against their breeding, to overthrow their Yseret creators. If they are successful Z'sart'lac will be able to return to his beloved Sing'm'li. Will the Yseret's ultimate breeding experiment become their worst nightmare?

Eivaunee had become expendable when he refused to marry the daughter of Emperor Hazdel. Hazdel covets Eivaunee's estates and is determined to have them one way or another. For that reason Eivaunnee had been sent to retrieve the alien under fire, and for that reason four years later, Eivaunee is still being given the most undesirable assignments. He's just performed the distasteful act of executing the leaders of a just rebellion and destroying an entire town, when he is called upon to investigate a string of messy murders on NeoCorda.

Little do they know that the murders of twelve humans there are only a decoy, that the real target is Zsar't'lac, and although the M.O. of the assassin suggests that the killer is a Hsassan, even Zsar't'lac knows that this is doubtful. Still his empathic talents should have easily turned up a human with murder on its mind.

Eivaunee has yet to make a move against the Emperor. Though Z'sar't'lac has offered his support, Eivaunee sees no way of achieving success. He feels frustrated and helpless. The struggle between the two Hsassan's is quite eye opening however, and by story's end Eivaunee is seeing his friend in a new light. Together, can the two end Hazdel's unholy reign?

The story continues to intrigue. Once Z'sart'lac's secret is in the open, a decision must be made whether to stay the course, or take a new direction. It will take the relationship between the two males to an entirely new level. Z'sart'lac must decide whether Eivaunee can be trusted with the information, for he will never allow his genetic material to fall into the hands of the Yseret. Their will be no new Qtesark. What direction will they take next? The next installment is sure to be quite interesting.

Leslie Tramposch - Copyright © 2002
For PNR Reviews

Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Courtesy PNR
Posted May 27, 2002