The Silent Warrior - Forever Hero, Bk 2 Author:L. E. Modesitt Jr. The Silent Warrior is the second novel in The Forever Hero trilogy, following Dawn for a Distant Earth. In the previous volume, Gershwin and his compatriots liberate a shipload of arcdozers for the reclamation effort. When they return the (mostly) unhurt crew of the stolen ship, the Empire quickly determines the perpetuators of the hijacking and... more » move in force on Old Earth. The Court of Inquiry soon establishes guilt, but is reluctant to publicize the crime. They recommend leaving the arcdozers in place and transferring the current garrison to the newly formed Imperial Reclamation and Restoration Corps.
In this novel, Gershwin turns down the opportunity to become Commandant of the new Recorps and instead leaves Old Earth to take command of an underpowered and overtasked cruiser, the Fleurdilis, to make initial contact with a previously unknown alien species. Despite a xenophobic executive officer and an ignorance of native customs, Gershwin establishes friendly relations with the aliens, who he names Ursans, and smoothes their further contacts with the Empire. He and his crew are commended for their performance.
After fifteen years on the fringes, Gershwin requests a change of duty to Maintenance in an outbase station. He is assigned as the Commander of an underutilized and obsolescent refitting center and salvage yard. Naturally, he starts turning it into a Galactic class refit station. He marries Allison and they have a son, Corson.
Gershwin also becomes active as the trustee of the OER Foundation founded by Caroljoy, his first lover. He steers the research grants toward less conventional biological technology. Later, he starts forming small commercial companies to market the new biological products.
When the Guild tries to assassinate Gershwin, he determines to destroy the organization. With the assistance of Lyr, the Administrator of the OER Foundation, and some new companies, Gershwin tracks the movements of the Guild leadership. Then he starts to terminate them using their own methods.
Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of individual daring, dedicated perseverance, and commercial intrigue with a touch of romance.