Xeros by Zak Zyz

This narrative of Xeros describes what occurs within the mind of a brainwashing victim. A prisoner named “Traitor” resides in a maximum security prison colony on a far-off space station in an empire that is ready to collapse. His crew is being prepared for a mission that will be the empire’s final chance to strike at the enemy’s inner core.

Their training, though, adheres to the highest tradition of military stupidity. They are being physically and psychologically beaten into shape in order to eliminate their individuality and make them into obedient machines capable of doing the impossibly.

And what’s amazing about that is that we can truly relate to a traitor. How he revels in the graphic details of his teammates’ suffering and how much he despises them. How he loves his own mistreatment because it means he has goaded his torturer into noticing him.

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This mental struggle is backed up by a complex exterior reality of speculative future science, which is mostly focused on military gear. Battleship and fighter ship names, capabilities, and data are announced with impeccable authority.

The military, ultra-right views of the jailers and the follies of the cowardly, degenerate Reconcilers, who enabled the Empire to fall, create an ideological clash at the same time. These traitors are only mentioned in the tirades of the drill sergeant and main torturer, Tsuros, who denies them the dignity of making an appearance in person.

As the hero is fully formed and his team is reduced to the last three members who will launch the attack, the tension gradually increases. Finally, the action begins as they make their last dash to the target while dodging a series of more frantic high-tech and conventional space battle fortifications.

I have to concede that as the hero approaches velocities, gravities, and degrees of suffering that start to numb our ability to empathise, the suspense in this never-ending conflict plateaus. But now that it’s all over, the story has a remarkably fitting conclusion for a mission that began as a suicide. All conflicts are settled, storylines are concluded, and the period of “happily ever after” increases. Highly recommended for those of a thoughtful and psychological turn of mind.

About The Book

5257, the year of the Metal Rat. Ananke Station, a decrepit prison on the dusty fringe of inhabited space. A cadre of conscripted criminals drill relentlessly in preparation for one final mission, the last gasp of a dying stellar empire. Under the brutal tutelage of Sergeant Tsuros, the prison squadron has been beaten, berated, and brainwashed into believing they are mankind’s only hope. But in a single moment of weakness, all is lost.

Tsuros’ star pupil glimpses the truth and loses his faith. Abducted from an orbital ring at age fifteen, Traitor can’t even remember what freedom felt like. He conceals his secret knowledge from his squad mates, and becomes an outcast, disillusioned and desperate. As the day of destiny nears, Traitor dreams of an impossible escape.

But is there any way out? Can the other inmates be won over, or trusted at all? Or will Tsuros the tyrant triumph, and force the young ace back into the fold? Light years beyond space-ace bootcamp, the ultimate Icarian glory awaits!