Old Guns: A Military Sci-Fi Adventure

Old Guns, Book 1

By: J. N. Chaney, Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Narrated by: R. C. Bray

They're too old for this fight... but they're the only ones left standing.

When the Colonial Shield Federation needs someone to face an ancient alien threat, they don't call their best; they call the only two Marines who survived first contact. Problem is, a decade of hard living has taken its toll on Frank Cage and Martin Kelvin. Frank has spent the last ten years drowning his memories in whiskey and starting bar fights, while Martin walks around on a cybernetic leg, tending his garden and trying to forget the past.

But their retirement comes to an abrupt end when a military transport arrives, crushing Martin's prized tomatoes and bringing orders that can't be refused. It seems the Hollow have returned...

Forced back into now-outdated power armor and paired with a squad of combat-tested scientists who think they know the enemy better than the people who fought them do, these two grizzled veterans must face something far worse than death.

Because the Hollow don't just kill; they collect. In the depths of a long-buried facility, Frank and Martin will quickly find out if they still have what it takes to survive—and what it will truly cost them.

The first book in this high-octane military sci-fi saga marks the explosive start of an exciting collaboration between USA Today-bestselling author J.N. Chaney and New York Times-bestselling author Nicholas Sansbury Smith that's perfect for fans of Expeditionary Force and Undying Mercenaries.

©2026 Variant Publications (P)2026 Podium Audio

Here for NSS

I’ve never read Chaney, but I showed up for NSS and wasn’t disappointed at all! NSS never misses.

Intense story!

Well written , well narrated and just fun story about 2 old farts trying to save humanity. Looking forward to the next story!

Badass new story!

Really enjoyed this one from the beginning to the end. The characters are well developed and they each have a dog! Lots of world building went into this story, not just of the planets and system, but of the back stories that we get glimpses into. Of course, RC BRAY brings them to life in a way that no one else can. I really think this is gonna be a big hit. I saw another review about it being better than Hell Divers. It's different in a lot of ways, but the character development is definitely on that level and so is the action and tension you get from Smith's other books. Really enjoyed Chaney's work on this as well.

like it a lot

R C Bray is always the best. good story. right up my alley. can't wait for the next one.

Really great story and characters

I am a big Chaney fan and I listen to every book he puts out. This one was no exception. It was so good. I hope the sequels keep this momentum. Please keep it coming!