Synopsis
When the first derelict alien spacecraft fell to Earth, humanity took what was found in it and propelled themselves to new heights. In their new Golden Age, humanity developed technology that they had only dreamed about. The following years saw hundreds more ships crash into the planet, spurring even greater technological leaps.
An unassuming spacecraft, one of the dozens that fell yearly, descended on Siberia in 2021. The world took no particular notice of it. However, this one contained something beyond the miraculous technology that had made humans so prosperous.
Three years later, in a top-secret underground facility in eastern Colorado, the automated construction of an army of Paladin Mobile Infantry Suits was underway. With this new, state-of-the-art weaponry, the military would turn the tide against the alien incursion that was consuming the planet. Humanity fell before that could happen. Sam was an engineer responsible for overseeing the facility. Now alone, he lives in utter boredom and near insanity, his only company the base’s pseudo AI and an army of empty Paladins. With the world gone to hell around him, and the things that caused it still living above, he decides that he is much better off staying exactly where he is. Unfortunately for him, that is no longer an option.
This is the first novel I've written. The first fifteen or so chapters are going to be a little slower. I want there to be time to get to know the characters before they start blowing stuff up. Also, though the MC will be strong relative to the world, he won't be OP, and won't win every fight. Not every fight will be physical either.
Currently, I'm aiming for something like 5 fairly short chapters a week, after the introduction part is done, but we'll see how that goes. Thanks for reading, and please let me know if I've made mistakes!
Table of Contents
- 1Prologue2024-11-13
- 2Chapter 1.1: Jog2024-11-13
- 3Chapter 1.2: Perimeter Approach2024-11-13
- 4Chapter 1.3: Morning Routine2024-11-13
- 5Chapter 1.4: Before (I)2024-11-13
- 6Chapter 1.5: Training Montage2024-11-13
- 7Chapter 1.6: Downtime2024-11-13
- 8Chapter 1.7: Mental2024-11-13
- 9Chapter 1.8: Grey2024-11-13
- 10Chapter 1.9: Interlude - Adelaide (I)2024-11-13
- 11Chapter 1.10: Unreality2024-11-13
- 12Chapter 1.11: Coward2024-11-13
- 13Chapter 1.12: Before (II)2024-11-13
- 14Chapter 1.13: Aftershock2024-11-13
- 15Chapter 1.14: Step2024-11-13
- 16Chapter 1.15: It's The Little Things2024-11-13
- 17Chapter 1.16: Ursus Maritimus2024-11-13
- 18Chapter 1.17: Firefight2024-11-13
- 19Chapter 1.18: A Thousand Lives2024-11-13
- 20Chapter 1.19: Graduation2024-11-13
- 21Chapter 1.20: Scheduled Maintenance2024-11-13
- 22Chapter 1.21: Combat2024-11-13
- 23Chapter 1.22: Burdens2024-11-13
- 24Chapter 1.23: Before (III)2024-11-13
- 25Chapter 1.24: Before (IV)2024-11-13
- 26Chapter 2.1: Interlude - Mary2024-11-13
- 27Chapter 2.2: Mind the Cliff2024-11-13
- 28Chapter 2.3: Life2024-11-13
- 29Chapter 2.4: Field Trip2024-11-13
- 30Chapter 2.5: Choices2024-11-13
- 31Chapter 2.6: State of Play2024-11-13
- 32Chapter 2.7: Interlude - Jane2024-11-13
- 33Chapter 2.8: Combat Drop2024-11-13
- 34Chapter 2.9: Welcome Wagon2024-11-13
- 35Chapter 2.10: Information2024-11-13
- 36Chapter 2.11: Black Box2024-11-13
- 37Announcements of Fun2024-11-13
- 38Chapter 2.12: The Reaper2024-11-13
- 39Chapter 2.13: Interlude - Fear of God2024-11-13
- 40Chapter 2.14: Cracks in the Concrete2024-11-13
- 41Chapter 2.15: Catch a Breath2024-11-13
- 42Chapter 2.16: Character2024-11-13
- 43Chapter 2.17: Stir Crazy2024-11-13
- 44Chapter 2.18: Mystery2024-11-13
- 45Chapter 2.19: Eruption2024-11-13
- 46Chapter 2.20: Hive Lord2024-11-13
- 47Chapter 2.21: Serendipity2024-11-13
- 48Chapter 2.22: Interlude - Camille (I)2024-11-13
- 49Chapter 2.23: Whole2024-11-13
- 50Chapter 2.24: Replay2024-11-13
- 51Chapter 2.25: Meetings2024-11-13
- 52Chapter 2.26: Conference2024-11-13
- 53Chapter 2.27: Gathering2024-11-13
- 54Chapter 2.28: A Plan Comes Together2024-11-13
- 55Chapter 2.29: Suburbs2024-11-13
- 56Chapter 2.30: Denver2024-11-13
- 57Chapter 2.31: Descent2024-11-13
- 58Announcement of Far Less Fun2024-11-13
- 59Chapter 2.32: Climb2024-11-13
- 60Chapter 2.33: Home2024-11-13
- 61Chapter 2.34: Learning2024-11-13
- 62Chapter 2.35: Interim2024-11-13
- 63Chapter 2.36: Disagreement2024-11-13
- 64Chapter 2.37: Interlude - Aaron2024-11-13
- 65Chapter 2.38: Inspiration2024-11-13
- 66Previously on Paladin2024-11-13
- 672.39: The Defense of Sterling2024-11-13
- 682.40: The Beacon of Hope2024-11-13
- 69Chapter 2.41: The Shield of Humanity2024-11-13
- 70Chapter 2.42: Impact2024-11-13
- 71Chapter 2.43: Interlude - Aaron (II)2024-11-13
- 72Chapter 2.44: Council2024-11-13
- 73Chapter 2.45: Epilogue2024-11-13
- 74Post-Mortem/Editing Plans2024-11-13