The Xenocide Mission

The year is 2153 and in the outer domains of space the Xenocides are plundering an observation station: retaliation is in the hands of a Lieutenant Joel Gilmore, his team of humans and an extra-terrestrial species of quadrupeds known as Rusties. From this basic confrontation Jeapes creates a dense narrative in which matters of political, sociological and cultural interest assume significant roles in the numerous power struggles in which the various groups of protagonists engage. The humorous portrayal of the relationship between Gilmore and his Rustie companion, Boon Round, provides some welcome light relief, though, overall, the size of this volume, its large cast and convoluted plotting and its fondness for the jargon of futuristic technology will almost certainly limit its appeal to the existing science fiction enthusiast.