1st Mercenary Paperback – March 25, 2026

John Paul Kelly, barely out of his youth, is the kind of officer who refuses to bend to authority, often clashing with the Union Assembly—a sprawling interstellar government formed millennia ago by Earth's earliest bloodline and hundreds of allied alien races. The UA’s mission is ambitious: to spread peace and civilization across the stars, forging new alliances and colonizing worlds. Yet, their vision starkly contrasts with the Alliance, a coalition of only ten tribes, infamous for their merciless tactics and iron rule. Where the UA seeks harmony and expansion, the Alliance thrives on fear and dominance, their reputation casting a long shadow over the galaxy.For the past two and a half centuries, the UA's relentless march has been halted by bitter conflict with the Alliance. Despite their smaller numbers, the Alliance's ferocity has kept the UA at bay, creating a deadlock that threatens the future of both factions.Within the UA’s military structure lies its most clandestine weapon: the 1 st Mercenary division. Unlike any other unit, 1st Mercenary operates in total secrecy, forging its own path behind enemy lines and relying solely on stealth and wit. John Paul Kelly, determined to prove his worth and haunted by memories of loss, has shaped this division into an elite force that answers to no one but itself. He is driven by a desire to protect his home, earn redemption for past mistakes, and defy the Assembly. Leading the 1st Mercenary is both his greatest honor and his most dangerous gamble; every operation is a razor’s edge, and every misstep could mean exile or worse. If they triumph, the UA reaps the glory. If they fall, their failures are theirs alone—and John Paul Kelly stands at the blade’s tip, bearing the weight of his team's fate.Kelly’s journey is fraught with peril—not only from the Alliance’s ruthless warriors, but from shadows lurking within his own ranks. Ambition festers, and envy simmers; some of his so-called brothers are eager for his downfall, willing to betray him for a chance at power. At midnight in the silent corridors of the flagship, Kelly finds encrypted messages slipped under his door—warnings, threats, or invitations to conspiracy. Isolated by suspicion, he is forced to weigh loyalty against survival, never knowing when a trusted ally might become his executioner. Depending on who spins the tale, Kelly could emerge as a legendary hero or the greatest villain of his era.Mystery thickens and danger escalates with every chapter. As Kelly steps onto a planet ravaged by war, he senses betrayal stalking him from the shadows—a pulse-quickening scene where the true test of courage and trust awaits. The adventure that unfolds promises not just action but a battle for the soul of the galaxy, where nothing is as it seems and every page reveals a new twist. Read more