Series: The Amargosa Trilogy
Year: 430 IE
Genre: Science Fiction / Military SF / Political Thriller
Storming Amargosa chronicles the final and most explosive phase of the Occupation of Amargosa of the human colony Amargosa. After a year under Gelt control, a joint Compact–Hanar task force launches a coordinated offensive to liberate the planet. Ellie Nardino leads the Northern Resistance, aided by Brendie Kray, and sapient lycanths, who play a decisive role in undermining the occupiers.
The story splits among several character arcs:
- JT Austin must choose between serving Hanar or the Compact. After a pivotal conversation with Suicide—whom he finally acknowledges as his chosen mother—he recommits to the Compact cause.
- Tishla, still emotionally scarred and ever ready to sacrifice herself, aids the resistance despite not being a Warrior. Her evolving relationship with JT deepens.
- Davra Andraste, suffering from radiation damage and incendiary nanites, becomes even more battle-hardened. She delivers a lethal blow to a former Goshenite radical who tries to assault Tishla.
- Eric Yuwono emerges as a fierce combatant, killing key Gelt figures like Ponax and wounding Laral Farad, whose death comes hours later when Riverside is obliterated by a fusion blast.
Several major plotlines come to a head:
- Lucius Kray is finally brought to justice, devoured by lycanths under Section 11 as Ellie gives the signal.
- Laral Peteesh dies in a dramatic murder engineered by Kray and Laral Farad.
- Giddeus Modesto sacrifices himself in the climactic battle, securing a future for his companions.
- Colonel Diana Jovann is killed by a heat ray moments before Riverside is leveled in the final attack.
The book ends with the Liberation of Amargosa. Despite the planet’s devastation, humans and defected Gelt settlers begin to rebuild together. The resistance’s victory comes at a great cost, but lays the groundwork for political realignments, deeper human-Gelt cooperation, and future conflicts.
The Amargosa Trilogy