Introducing a new dystopian military thriller taking place in a standalone setting: Blackstar Squad

The Argent Republic is a militaristic society, formed after a period of civil wars that caused the collapse of the imperial hegemony the Argenti people had over the continent. In the republic, government service is mandatory for citizens to earn their rights, and military service is seen as the most honorable form of service to the state. Almost every citizen is trained for combat during their school years, and high civil offices can only be attained by veterans. The primary governing body of the republic is the senate, where membership is restricted to generals that have given decades of service to the republic.

Despite these attempts to meticulously order society, the republic is under threat. Wars with neighboring nations are near-constant, leading to a systematic purge of non-Argenti ethnic groups from the population. Rebel factions of those who are disillusioned by the endless wars stage terror strikes, and the toll of these conflicts strain the morale and logistics of a nation that has never truly known peace. Even those loyal to the republic can see the cracks in the facade of Argenti dominance, and few are prepared for what may happen should it all come crashing down.

Blackstar Squad is the story of a team of special forces operatives in service to the Argent Republic. The main characters are:

Commander Hilda
A veteran military officer who has completed her mandatory service. Hilda was born into a military family, and now she is the last surviving member after they all died in the line of duty. Having intended to leave the military to escape the constant death, she chose to remain only after being offered the command of Blackstar Squad. Having lost so many soldiers under her command, she leads with a gentle touch, bending regulations to ensure the loyalty of her subordinates.

Lieutenant Kristina
An officer that was originally part of the technology division before being transferred and thus has no combat training. While a quick learner and an expert at dealing with technology, her mental state is fragile in hazardous situations. Her transfer has left her disillusioned with authority, and she despises the republic's reliance on violent force.

Private Lilith
A tough survivalist that is often rude and insubordinate, leading to most of her service being rendered invalid through disciplinary actions. Despite her difficult nature, she seems to have an uncanny amount of luck and managed to survive missions that wiped out her former units. Having grown up in an area that was once home to "native foreigners" that have since been removed, Lilith has little respect for the official government story for any situation.

Corporal Marta
Off the field, Marta is a playful and irreverent flirt. During a mission, she turns into a cold and deadly sniper. Her tendency to become a lone wolf and ignore orders has gotten her into trouble almost as often as she has been written up for fraternization. Her struggles with teamwork have kept her from further advancement, and getting caught breaking regulations has prevented her from finishing her mandatory service term.

Corporal Gretel
A fresh-faced, by-the-book soldier. Still in one of her first semesters of military service out of school, Gretel's primary stumbling block has been her adherence to the letter of her orders. This inflexibility has led to conflict with her superiors, who are left uncertain of how to discipline someone who is following orders too literally. Frustrated by the murky nature of the republic's workings, Gretel has begun to wonder if she is out of place.

Senator Athena
Known as a war hero, Athena has been fighting for the republic for most of her life. While she lost a leg in her first war, she has not let anything hamper her determination and drive. While some senators delegate their conflicts to more junior generals, Athena takes a very hands-on approach and continues to serve directly as a general. She has a vision of the Argent Republic overcoming all of its flaws to reach its full potential, and will not allow anything to interfere with that dream.

As Blackstar Squad performs its missions, Hilda and her teammates will be confronted by the decay at the heart of their homeland; a hollowness that may be more of a threat than any enemy army or terror cell. Serving a nation that seems almost intent on devouring itself from the inside, Hilda will eventually have to make the choice to act, or else she too will be buried when the republic collapses under its own weight.

Blackstar Squad will be available in Late 2026, with a final release date to be determined.

Leading up to the release of Blackstar Squad, a number of short stories providing additional backstory will be posted to the site. These stories will also be included in the final book.

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