Eagle Against the Stars

Stars, Book 1

By: Steve White

Narrated by: Corey M. Snow

The aliens played by the rules. Their rules.

When the Lokaron suddenly appeared in the skies of Earth, America was enjoying victory in the off-and-on war that had occupied most of the 20th century. That's why they chose America to occupy and use as their puppet in dominating the planet. We were already set up to do it; now we would do it for them.

Not that they were evil; they just insisted that we trade with them. By their rules, rules backed up by irresistible weapons. In terms of those rules, they would even play fair - but in the long run, if they didn't own something, it would be because they didn't want it.

At first we tried to fight, but just as the Japanese, the Chinese, the Hindus, and all the rest had learned, when the ones with the guns say "Let's trade!" they really mean "Trade or bleed." And so you trade - even if you won't have a country - or a planet - left when the last round is played out.

But worms turn, and just as had the Europeans a century ago, the Lokaron were going to learn a lesson from their victims, a lesson that they weren't going to like one bit . . .

©2000 Steve White (P)2020 Tantor

Alien politics surprisingly familiar

Stephen White’s Eagle Against the Stars is a throwback to a simpler time in sci-fi tales. Aliens invade Earth, but with trade instead of conquest in mind. The aliens are able to dictate trade terms. Gradually a resistance movement evolves that wants to evict the aliens. Then things get complicated as the aliens themselves are not a homogeneous entity, but rather possess competing groups with differing views on the disposition of Earth. This forces a few humans to work with the aliens to preclude Earth annihilation.

White manages an intriguing tale that would be more at home a half century earlier. There is little world building to explain the current state of Earth and the aliens are decidedly quite human in terms of their psychology and philosophy.

The narration is well done with reasonable character distinction. Pacing is smooth and brisk.