CaptainRSW
Ash of Empire (Book One of the Federation Rising Saga) by Roy Howard is an epic, character-driven space opera that chronicles humanity's fight for survival at the dawn of a new galactic era.
The story follows Commander Roy Howard and his diverse, sharply drawn crew aboard the Odyssey-the Federation's most advanced starship-as they undertake a perilous slipstream trial to the edge of known space. What begins as a bold mission soon escalates into a struggle for the fate of humanity, as the crew encounters ancient alien threats, discovers the long-buried secrets of the Architects and Orison Collective, and awakens cosmic powers that threaten extinction on a galactic scale.
As the Odyssey ventures further, Roy and his crew must navigate internal Federation politics, the bitter enmity of Warlord Kharzek and the Reptar Dominion, and the emergence of the enigmatic AI, Viren. The stakes rise with each encounter: from pitched battles with Dominion fleets and the unrelenting Hunters-predators of civilizations-to the forging of an unlikely alliance with the last survivors of the Xai'Therin and the reclamation of alien megastructures like Erebus and the awe-inspiring Sol Shield.
Humanity's desperate bid for unity is tested as sabotage, betrayal, and fear threaten the fragile alliances holding the Federation together. The discovery of the Aurelians' lost empire, the haunting ruins of Eden, and the Dyson Sphere at Luyten unveil a legacy of both unimaginable power and catastrophic hubris.
Rich with tactical action, vivid world-building, and philosophical depth, Ash of Empire is ultimately a story about leadership, sacrifice, and the enduring hope that even on the edge of annihilation, unity and courage can forge a future worth fighting for. It is the opening salvo in a sweeping saga of exploration, war, and the search for meaning among the stars.