Dr. Phoi's Cult Queens

About the Book

In the tradition of ‘50s sci-fi space operas, on Genesis, the planet of the Cult Queens, nothing is quite what it seems. Will Ryan Steele unravel the mystery? Will Jim and Bob survive the adventure? And, will the Space Wolf get the girl? Action, adventure, a mad doctor, atomic bombs, space ships, evil shadow governments, mind control, cunning plans, high-tech weapons, narrow escapes, and seductive temptresses—who could ask for anything more in a science fiction novel? And it’s got a plot, too!

An excerpt from Dr. Phoi’s Cult Queens:

Commander Harding started the meeting. “First off, introductions are in order. I am Commander Avery Harding of the Space Fleet.” The Space Wolf of Space Fleet, thought Jim, sounds like a special citation or medal. “I am in command of this mission. To my right is Lieutenant Edith Grant. She will act as first mate on the voyage.” Lt. Grant smiled and nodded her head at Harding. “To my left is Dr. Ryan Steele. He is a specialist in Historical Sociology and will be an advisor.” Harding paused to frown at Bob and Jim. “And on either side of the table are my two marine technicians, Sergeants Bob Sitis and Jim Vaughn.

“Now, as to the mission.” Jim assumed that they would be conducting reconnaissance and infiltration actions in support of the Miron invasion. Bob had told him that he was hoping for combat search and rescue. “Radio emissions,” continued Harding, “have been detected from a previously dis-inhabited planet. Several nuclear weapons may lie unexploded on the planet’s surface. Lt. Grant will lead the effort to find and neutralize these devices.”

“A class two stealth probe was launched two days ago and will be orbiting the planet before we get there. Dr. Steele will evaluate their culture, and if conditions meet our standards, Steele and I will make contact with the inhabitants with an offer to join the Republic.” This offer would be very dangerous to refuse, thought Jim. Three planets had refused in his lifetime and met swift military occupation. Harding, Bob, and Jim had worked the last mission as special saboteurs. It had been a fun mission. “Are there any questions?” asked Harding.

“We aren’t going to Miron then?” asked Bob.

“We haven’t dis-inhabited that planet yet.” Only Harding laughed at his joke.

“Then where are we going?” asked Jim.

“Genesis” said Harding.

The infamous owner of Wonder World Books in Long Beach, California, once remarked to me: “What my customers really want is a good sci-fi space opera just like the stuff they wrote in the ‘50s.” This comment stuck in my mind for nearly a decade while I pursued careers and traveled the world. One day I was at work with nothing much to do and decided that I would take up my friend’s challenge and write a classic ‘50s sci-fi space opera. I began the process by reading and re-reading as many books in the genre as possible. After reading two dozen novels and many short stories by Heinlein, Van Vogt, Niven, Dick, Bradbury, Asimov, Doc Smith, and many others I came to the conclusion that I should write something else so as not to tread on these great authors. This decision resulted in several sci-fi novels including The Bad Finger and Max Pohlhammer of which I am very proud, but that are not space operas. But the challenge always remained in the back of my mind. And I rarely turn down a challenge, which is of course how I found myself working in aerospace all those years ago.

So, with great determination and a good title, I set myself to the task of telling the story of Dr. Phoi’s Cult Queens. Now, I give the excuse that I was in a period of transition (moving from aerospace to other endeavors) and that is why it took a couple of years to do the actual writing. The result, I believe, is a good read and is in the spirit of those great stories th