Tiny Planet Filled With Liars by Stephen M.A.

Stephen M.A. - Tiny Planet Filled With Liars COVER s 7erhnhTitle: Tiny Planet Filled With Liars

Series: Fleet Eternal Story

Author: Stephen M.A.

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

Length: Novel (351pgs)

Publisher: SMA Publishing (November 12, 2020)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 4 Hearts

Blurb: “I knew the Board’s worry wasn’t that thousands had died, but that they’d done it unprofitably.”

The Fiduciary Dominion has a problem. Seersa Kudaibergen, beloved Admiral of the Defense Corps, is suddenly faltering in battle, while whispers of conspiracy drift in orbit. Now The Interviewer, fussy ex-military investigator, must partner with Madame Zhou, cantankerous Ruby District doyenne, to unravel this string of increasingly pyrrhic victories over an undying alien armada.

A florid, sharply characterized exploration of one shadowed world, ruled by extravagant military contractors…falling to pieces under siege.

In the Unified Fiduciary Dominion, truth and revenue are often mutually exclusive. But when Crowley Vanderbilt, greedy corporate scion, starts meddling with battle plans that have staved off Fleet Eternal for decades, the entire planet might pay the price for his lies.

Now, Fleet Eternal’s next assault threatens to be the deadliest one yet. In a desperate bid to blow the whistle before it’s too late, The Interviewer enlists the help of Bartimus Caldwell, whiz kid sensor Scry, to issue a declassified public report that could rewrite military history forever…

_____
Loved by fans of: Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries, Yoon Ha Lee’s Ninefox Gambit, Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch, and John Scalzi!.

ISBN: B08ND61JQS

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This is a story that is devastatingly sad yet filled with drama, humor and hope. The interviewer is tasked with getting to the bottom of things and the interviews at times are humorous to say the least. There is an underlying sense of desperation that leads to someone making plans of their own.

I loved the story with all it’s amazing well thought out characters that added depth and feelings to the story line. There is no shortage of mystery as the plot thickens. I was ready to help those in need and get to the bottom of things myself as the story progressed into a beautiful ending full of hope.

A lot happens throughout the book that had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens. This story is well written and riveting to say the least.

Great read.

Tiny Planet Filled With Liars by Stephen M.A. Blog Tour, Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Tiny Planet Filled With Liars - Stephen M.A.

QSFer Stephen M.A. has a new diverse military space opera out:

Tiny Planet Filled With Liars.

And there’s a giveaway!

An armada that never dies. A society on the verge.

Every 30 days, Fleet Eternal arrives to surround the planet and lay siege to a complacent populace. Its armaments are unbeatable, its numbers uncountable, but the terrifying assault has one fatal flaw: a mere .01% loss in combat strength triggers automatic retreat and reset.

For decades, the Unified Fiduciary Dominion has relied on the Board and its military contractors to defend the planet and maintain the knife’s edge of survival. Now, riven by greed and false confidence, those corporate lords have abandoned their duty in pursuit of political power.

The tactics of the Alpha Vector Defense Corps have served for generations—so why are they suddenly faltering? And why do Board members seem increasingly unconcerned with the tenuous state of the system? Armed with the exclusive authority to investigate, one fussy ex-military reporter must partner with a generous Madame to chase down the story behind a string of failed battles—and pray they find answers before the districts are turned to ash.

As casualties rise, The Interviewer faces deadly resistance … and discovers a disturbing conspiracy at the highest ranks.

The world’s security is careening toward disaster, and this whistleblower is running out of time. But when every answer seems to bring more questions, one reminder guides the way:

Don’t come here looking for truth. This is just a pack of lies and the end of the world.

A genre-busting dramedy & political satire thriller in military sci-fi clothing.

Universal Buy Link


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Interview with Stephen M.A.!

[The Interviewer]

Who would you say your favorite character is? I’m presuming you won’t be pretending not to have one.

(chuckles)

[Stephen M.A.]

No, of course not. But actually, I think it was more a matter of having a particular favorite character at a particular point in the story. I think in the end it’s probably pretty obvious which character is my “hero” at any given section. The favorite.

[The Interviewer]

But never me.

[Stephen M.A.]

Well, no. Sorry.

[Int.]

I told you from the start you’d begin to hate me as soon as you let me start to get autobio—

[SM.A.]

It is NOT autobiographical—I mean, YOU are not autobiographical! You are NOT a stand-in for me! For crying out—

[Int.]

It’s Zhou, isn’t it.

[SM.A.]

…

(laughs)

Yes, it is. Of course it’s Zhou. She was the first, and the last. It could only ever have been her. She’s the only reason I turned this into an entire world.

[Int.]

Bless her mean and cranky heart.

[SM.A.]

Cheers.

[Int.]

We don’t have a drink. Quarantine, remember.

[SM.A.]

(sighs)

Yeah, I know. Also I don’t really drink.

[Int.]

(sighs)

Yeah, I know.

[SM.A.]

Can I be honest?

[Int.]

I don’t see why you’d bother starting at this point in the game, but sure, go ahead, it’s your word count.

[SM.A.]

I came into this with a firm concept, and a firm emotion. Mine. Anger. You know all the reasons.

[Int.]

Yes.

[SM.A.]

But the only reason this is likely to become a series now is because Zhou is the story. I’ll be writing the next two books for her.

[Int.]

Aw, that’s sweet.

[SM.A.]

Is it?

[Int.]

You’ll take a sandal to the throat if you say that to her face, though.

[SM.A.]

Well luckily you’re in there with her and I’m out here … uh … with you … you know what, let’s just wrap this up.

[Int.]

Probably for the best. Thanks so much to MM Good Book Reviews for having us! Grab Tiny Planet Filled With Liars on Kindle Unlimited today!

[SM.A.]

Goodbye.

[Int.]

Goodbye!


Excerpt

Tiny Planet Filled With Liars Meme - Stephen M.A.

2

Bartimus Caldwell

Onyx Hoteliers LTD., Suite 7382, Courtesy Level Omega Plus Royale

[Interviewer]

First, let me say welcome to the suite.

[Bartimus Caldwell]

Uh. Thank you.

[Interviewer]

It’s courtesy level Omega Plus Royale, you know.

[Bartimus Caldwell]

Okay.

…

Uh, I mean, that’s great. Very impressive.

[Int.]

Thank you. You need to purchase 2,000 units of Class A shares just to get the invitation to apply for a reservation.

[B.C.]

I see.

[Int.]

Mm-hmm.

[B.C.]

I’ll … uh … I’ll look into it, for sure, though I don’t know what I’d do with a room this fancy on my own.

[Int.]

You are Bartimus Caldwell.

[B.C.]

Yes, sir.

[Int.]

Don’t call me that. I’ve been discharged for years.

[B.C.]

I’m sorry, si—I mean, I’m sorry. I won’t.

[Int.]

State your position, rank, and assignment.

[B.C.]

Yeoman Sensor Scry, Grade III, Alpha Vector Defense of the Unified Fiduciary Dominion.

[Int.]

State your duties, in the most simple and clear terms you are able to.

[B.C.]

Uh … I coordinate the intake and regressive analysis of real-time sensor data to monitor the mid-threat-time development of incursions in the Alpha Vector, when under the command of UFD Central Board Oversight.

[Int.]

…

You’re a watchman and analyst.

[B.C.]

Uh … correct, sir.

[Int.]

How long have you been enlisted?

[B.C.]

I … was assigned commission four years ago.

[Int.]

You’re not volunteer enlisted?

[B.C.]

…

No, sir.

[Int.]

Why are you even allowed in the Operations Center, in that case? Or have those regulations been changed?

[B.C.]

I don’t—uh … I was not given such information, sir. Just the assignment.

…

I’ve been told my predecessor retired out of her indenture due to debilitating stress. Uh … several predecessors, actually. For the same reason.

[Int.]

I see.

[B.C.]

Yes.

[Int.]

Are you stressed, Bartimus?

[B.C.]

Yes, sir.

[Int.]

Bartimus.

[B.C.]

Yes, sir.

[Int.]

Stop calling me sir.

3

Bartimus Caldwell

Alpha Vector Operations Center

DURING incursions Bartimus Caldwell often feels chained to his desk.

Though incursion has initiated in the late afternoon (within a Unified Time Stamp of plus or minus 30 seconds) for the last twenty-six-and-one-half years, all personnel Grades V and below are still required to take stations no later than 0600 on the morning of.

Bartimus hates waking up so early, which may be why he avoided commission for so many years. It is to his great misfortune that he’s a whiz kid with sensor analysis, and inevitably discovered that Central Board Oversight had been made aware of his talents when he was abruptly recruited (then indentured) for a 20-year service stint four years ago, precisely two weeks after his 31st birthday. At the time he was gainfully (and happily) employed in the remote sexual screening industry, but that’s not relevant to this portion of his story.

Bartimus Caldwell’s desk, which binds him so readily, is located on the upper balcony of the Alpha Vector Operations Center, when under the command of Central Board Oversight.

This room represents the most exclusive and highly classified product catalogs of no less than three dozen military contractors. However, those who’ve bothered to learn as much know that in reality only two conglomerates perch atop the corporate meta-structure which hides its many tendrils behind each of those contractors.

In some professions, as you know, acknowledging this easily verifiable duopoly is quite literally illegal. For instance, service personnel are forbidden to acknowledge or discuss, in any capacity, any information that might insinuate that the dozens of military contractors working with Central Board Oversight are not in fact plucky small businesses that have been rightfully rewarded with thick and hefty revenue streams by virtue of patriotism and good old-fashioned UFD entrepreneurship.

Bartimus Caldwell adheres to this policy with unerring slavishness and would never even think of speaking ill toward the contractors. I know this because he has assured me of it several times.

When Alpha Vector Defense is not under the command of Central Board Oversight, Bartimus Caldwell’s desk is in the auxiliary hangar, packed in alongside the other 382 service members in the unit. In that venue, each such member enjoys no less than two square meters of personal space in which to perform their duties, of which their auxiliary desk takes up no more than one-point-two-five square meters.

Bartimus Caldwell bubbles with gratitude toward the military for providing this generously outfitted working space to its service members. I know this because he has assured me of it several times.

However, this was an incursion week, which meant that Board members would be in attendance for their usual round of post-contact media conferences and photo opportunities, which meant Bartimus Caldwell and his unit were stationed in the Alpha Vector Operations Center, showcasing the finest product catalogs of the military contractors owned by said members of the Board.

From his desk in the front ring on the upper balcony of the Alpha Vector Operations Center, Bartimus enjoys an unobstructed view of the entire room. Behind him on the octagonal balcony, which encircles the entire outer wall of the Operations Center, two more layers of desks and control consoles are laid out, fully staffed with unit members of Grades II and I.

The bidding wars to manufacture the desks used on the balcony have been quite fierce in recent years, and a new contract seems to be assigned every other month. Bartimus has grown quite used to arriving for OC duty and discovering a brand new desk in front of his seat, though thankfully, after one long stretch of genuine UX insanity, a regulatory design decree was issued that now ensures the general layout and functionality of each new desk model is largely the same as the last.


Author Bio

Stephen M.A.
Stephen M.A. is an ex-film student, Great Recession survivor, and first-generation tribal descendant originating from a reservation in big sky country. He now lives and writes in the northeastern United States.

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