Category: Science Fiction Books

This scene from Forged in Fire is from the viewpoint of Helia, mother of the immortal king Pietas. We get rare glimpses of her in this book, because it's mainly from Pietas's point of view. But without being inside her head in a few places, a reader would not understand this woman at all. Her son is 7 terran feet tall; Helia is 4'11". He's one of the most powerful Ultras ever created, while she is one of the least. As this scene begins, Helia's husband, Mahikos, is threatening to set fire to a unit of cryogenic life pods. In all of Ultra history, no Ultra has ever killed another by fire. It's the only death they can't come back from. Pietas is facing off with his father, attempting to reason with him.

Forged in Fire

Hard to believe the tall, powerful person facing Mahikos had come from her own body. She, a worker in the scientist class, had given birth to this incredible warrior-scientist. Every time she saw Pietas in action, Helia marveled anew. Though it had been centuries, it felt like she'd held her newborn son yesterday. Perhaps all mothers felt so about their offspring. It did not lessen her awe.

She stood behind him, well back from the verbal fray, listening as Pietas faced his father. Her son's calm words fell on ears closed to reason.

Mahikos demanded to be allowed into camp and take part in the Mingle. To get his way, he threatened to destroy his own people. Instead of working for a solution in the present, he'd rather set fire to the future.

How like Mahikos.

She'd refused the Mingle because to allow his blood to join with hers would put her even deeper under his thrall. Mahikos had insisted if they stuck together, Pietas would accept the terms of the peace talks and submit peacefully.

Pietas? Accept and submit? How long had the man known his son?

She had gone along with it, no better or wiser. What a disgrace to motherhood. She deserved the lowest scorn from her noble son, yet here he was, defending her.

Mahikos had sworn if Pietas surrendered, they'd be given their own world and everything they needed to survive. All she had to do was agree with Mahikos and keep her mouth shut about the deal he'd made.

A replay of her entire marriage. Shut up and obey me, Helia. Do what I tell you, Helia. I know what's best for you, Helia. Do it or you'll be sorry, Helia.

This time, she'd refused with adamant protests. But he'd nagged and wheedled and made promise after promise. When that hadn't swayed her he'd made a single threat. Side with him and make this exile happen, convince Pietas to agree or Mahikos would kill him.

Kill her son.

He'd shown her how he'd do it. Plausible. Possible. Her spouse had hated her son from the moment he saw she loved the boy more than she'd ever loved him. Her son loved her unconditionally. Mahikos gave love to gain what he wanted. He was cruel enough to do as he'd vowed and kill Pietas.

Kill her son!

Helia had given in, but any love she'd ever had for Mahikos died in that moment.

Then, when they arrived on Sempervia, she'd been released from the nightmare of being awakened and refrozen to discover her son was not among them. Thinking him perma-dead, she'd ceased living. How could she survive in a world without her son? Mahikos, Dessy, all the others, everyone claimed it was unchanging destiny. Fate.

No. If fate ruled her life she'd have remained a scientist.

She'd never have become friends with Joss and through her, met a warrior who'd been born in the scientist class and had transformed himself.

Mahikos had freed himself by accident. Once he understood how he'd done it, he freed others and secretly created Ultras without the genetics binding them as slaves. By the time humans realized the danger, it was too late.

Join him, Mahikos had sworn to Helia, and he'd make her what she'd always longed to be: a mother. He knew how to create life and he would make it happen within her. Not be a surrogate for life as some of their kind were, but the mother of her own children.

Her own flesh and blood, Part of her. Hers. How could she refuse?

Instead, he bound her to himself.

His next promise was even more of a lie. Bear me children, and I'll free you.

Once the children were born, his promise changed. It wasn't two children he wanted from her. It was twenty.

Twenty.

While she reeled from the thought of being a breeding machine, she watched how cold he was to the children. How cruel. She protested. Tried to stop him.

He beat her into silent submission.

When he made her pregnant again, she terminated the pregnancy. Every time she discovered she was with child, she destroyed it.

Tore out her own heart with each precious death.

No mother should have to make that kind of decision. Let your child live and be reared like a soldier by an abusive, uncaring monster? Or let him die in peace?

She attempted to free herself, but her very makeup made it impossible. Surely, she could find a way. Perform some research that would uncover the secret that had made Mahikos free. She searched in vain.

Though she could see and understand the process, she had no power to apply the treatment to herself. Freedom tantalized, just beyond her reach. Her bonds existed within her own genetics. That was how humans had kept Ultras captive for so many centuries. How Mahikos enslaved her to his will.

After arriving on Sempervia and discovering Pietas was not among them, she died more each day. She declined to eat, drink, speak. Even for her cherished daughter.

And then a silent howl of empathic rage had swept over the camp two nights ago. No other Ultra had such power. It could be no one but her son.

Pietas was alive.

Hurt. In need. Near.

She couldn't go to him. Instead, she sent the others, refusing to let them tell him how ill she was. Pietas would want to know why, and once he knew the truth, in his anger at her betrayal, he would turn his back. If he discovered her part in his father's charade, he'd never forgive her. Never.

Let Mahikos rage. Let him scream. Let him beg. She would never submit to him again.

No matter how much it hurt her physically to resist and refuse.

If she had to, to keep him from rejoining the camp and taking part, she'd admit her part in Mahikos's conspiracy against Pietas.

Better to face death from her merciful son than his hate-filled father.

Welcome to our online book fair, dedicated to exploring science fiction through the lens of its most complex protagonists. In the vast expanse of the genre, characters often serve as windows into the human condition, confronting dilemmas that challenge their morals, boundaries, and identities. This fair aims to highlight works that feature flawed heroes, each crafted with a depth that invites readers to consider the multifaceted nature of existence in worlds beyond our own.

Complex Protagonists: SciFi With Flawed Heroes

Science fiction offers a playground for the imagination, but it is the characters who ground these narratives. The protagonists featured in this fair are not perfect beings; instead, contradictions allow them to resonate with readers on a personal level. Their flaws lead them to make choices that are sometimes misguided, reflecting the imperfections that we all embody. In these stories, the characters' internal struggles and external conflicts contribute to their complexity, allowing readers to explore the intense spectrum of emotions and decisions that come with being human, even in fantastic settings.

Themes of morality often take center stage in these narratives. Each protagonist faces ethical challenges that question their values and beliefs. Readers witness how individuals respond to moral dilemmas when put under pressure—whether it is a choice between loyalty and justice or self-preservation and sacrifice. Such conflicts not only define complex protagonists but also forge connections with the audience as they see parts of themselves mirrored in the decisions the protagonists make.

As we dive deeper into the mechanics of character development, the importance of background and context shines through. Characters shaped by their experiences carry with them emotional baggage that informs their current actions and intentions. In the realm of science fiction, these backstories may be rich with experiences tied to advanced technologies, interstellar travel, or alien encounters. Yet, the core of their struggles often echoes universal truths. Readers become privy to the psychological scars that influence each character's trajectory and the themes of redemption, acceptance, and the quest for belonging.

The complexity of these protagonists lies not only in their individual struggles but also in their interactions with others. Relationships—whether they are adversarial, romantic, or friendly—can illuminate aspects of the characters that might remain hidden in isolation. The dynamics between flawed heroes and those they encounter often serve as catalysts for growth or decline. Through conflict and alliance, characters reveal their true selves, forging bonds or enmities that propel the story forward. Readers become invested in these connections, understanding that the tapestry of beauty and turmoil which fills human interactions.

Worldbuilding with Complex Protagonists

Worldbuilding is a crucial aspect of science fiction that enhances character exploration. Inventive settings establish the stage for conflict and resolution, driving the narrative while challenging the protagonists. These worlds can impose their own sets of rules, norms, and expectations that even complex protagonists must contend with. In such scenarios, when pushed beyond their limits, protagonists reveal their strengths and weaknesses. Whether they adapt to survive or resist change provides insight into their characters, making each choice and consequence resonate even more deeply.

In this online book fair, we invite you to explore a selection of titles that highlight the intricate tapestry of flawed heroes in sci-fi. The authors featured here have taken the time to develop multi-dimensional characters that are scarred by the worlds they inhabit. Each story invites reflection on free will and the complexities of choice in the face of adversity.

Engagement with these texts can inspire contemplation about the qualities that make a hero. What does it mean to be flawed yet still strive for greatness? Can a character’s missteps lead to profound personal growth? The stories presented here encapsulate these questions, prompting readers to recognize the intricate interplay between character and the often unfathomable universe they traverse.

We hope this fair enriches your understanding of science fiction and encourages you to consider the characters that linger long after the last page. Come explore these works and appreciate the layered narratives that reflect the essence of humanity, packing a universe of experience into the lives of a few flawed heroes. Such complex protagonists create a rich environment for action.

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In this scene, resurrected "ghost" soldier Tornahdo is arriving at the space station Enderium Six in preparation for peace talks. Ghosts have been told they will be peacekeepers and guards for the event. One problem: the person they've sent to chair the peace talks is a megalomaniac with delusions of godhood.

Policing a Megalomaniac

From the ship's bridge, the space station Enderium Six filled every viewscreen. It occupied busy space-lanes outside the Terran Crescent. A steady stream of ships debarked, heading in different directions. Tornahdo's experience with peace talks was limited but something was...off.

Not a good sign for ending a war.

He reined in that thought. Nothing negative. Nothing sarcastic.

He must not allow emotion to claim victory after learning to suppress it. Didn't matter if his anti-emo chip was malfunctioning or not. When the chip worked, it controlled every aspect of his emotions. When it didn't, he controlled them. He'd done that all his life.

Besides, who but a rank newbie counted on military tech to save his butt?

The general would not be pleased with his current struggle after he'd fought to win her approval. He'd asked himself why he desired her admiration but pondering that question always gave him a headache. He just needed it.

Maybe because his new training permitted a single emotion in his heart. Hatred.

Hardest thing he did. Hating. Wasn't his nature. But ghosts followed orders.

He should not give credence to the niggling doubt that something, somewhere was missing. But grasping the meaning behind the worry? Futile.

He must not worry. He must permit no emotion other than hate.

Ultras controlled the emotions of others. The anti-emo chip blocked them. The chip kept him safe in battle, faithful as a good soldier.

He must not think of self. Only duty. And with duty came danger.

Only days before, the Ultra's High Council had elected Pietas ap Lorectic as Chancellor. Why choose a bloodthirsty, narcissistic megalomaniac with delusions of godhood and a fabled hatred of humans, and then send him to chair peace talks?

And how was a guy like Tornahdo supposed to do anything about it?

Maybe that was why the corps shipped Tornahdo and his fellow ghosts to Enderium Six. To make sure the Ultras kept their word.

"You look puzzled, Master Sergeant." A worker tapped colored indicator lights.

Had Tornahdo let his emotions slip or had the chip malfunctioned again? He brushed at lint on his uniform, stalling while he thought of a good excuse. "Odd so many ships are leaving. I thought I'd see arrivals."

"If anyone was arriving you would."

"We're the sole inbound ship?"

"That's right. We're touching down to land your party, load as many civilians as possible, and then we're gone too."

His throat tightened. "They're evacuating the station." Some peace talks.

When the Ultras found out they'd been lied to these so-called talks would renew the war. So far, his luck at duty stations was holding steady at zero.

Finish the mission. That was his duty. Nothing else. He must allow fear no ground. Ultras controlled fear. They couldn't control hate.

"Must say, Master Sergeant, you're brave. I wouldn't be security anyplace he was going to be."

Brave? Humans had no idea what ghosts went through. How limited their choices were. Master Sergeant Peon. That was a ghost. I need a volunteer. You. That constituted the bravery of a ghost. By those standards, policing a certifiable megalomaniac fit all the requirements.