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Front cover by Jade,
New 2008 jacket.
NARC: SCORPIO
by Mel Keegan
ISBN: 0-9750884-7-5 .
350pp
cover by Jade
Price:
US$23.99
US$9.95(eBook)
Buy Equinox: NARC #2 from Amazon
 
Buy now, from Lulu.com 
 
Read the first 10% of this novel online!
READER ALERT / CAVEAT: the sample readings offered here encompass about the first 10% of these works, and they're uncensored, unabridged. If you will be disturbed by candid descriptions of same-gender romance, or by realistic violence, please don't download! These samples are not intended for younger readers. By clicking to open these documents, you agree that you are of age in your local jurisdiction; you know what you are about to read; and the material will not disturb you ... 'nuff said.
Any "content warning" to readers?
Anti-drug war, related themes, realistic violence, frank description of same-gender relationships.
PUBLISHING HISTORY:
Two editions:
First edition: November 2004
Lulu.com edition, March, 2008.
IN PRINT?
Yes.
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SCORPIO
The third NARC book, direct sequel to DEATH'S HEAD.
Jarrat and Stone are back yet again, and if the Equinox assignment looked something of a challenge, this one is going to be a rollercoaster.
Aurora is a 200 year old colony opened up by sleeper ship and now booming. Its capital is the city of Thule ... so filled with Angel abuse that Tactical has accumulated vast bodies of evidence on "Scorpio". The syndicate has some very high connections, all the way back to Earth, but Tac Colonel Kris Janssen — last generation of an original pioneer family — has just cremated four officers who attempted to investigate the man at its head.
Young Marcus Brand has been preserved in cryogenic suspension since the very early days of the Angel war, 25 years before this story. Wealthy parents bought a colonial "sleeper" ship's cryotank to preserve him when he overdosed on Angel. Eighty years old now, Marc's father sees a documentary on Harry Del and is so impressed, he contacts Del directly, wanting him to perform his miracles for Marc. But the technique remains experimental and Harry refers the request to NARC.
As Harry applies for clearances to treat the Brand boy, Jarrat and Stone have just completed their official report on the Equinox Industries operation, and they are given their new assignment: the Angel syndicate known as Scorpio.
Harry receives clearance to work with Marc. The cryo tank must be shipped to the secure NARC labs on Darwin's World. It's shipped out on a Starfleet tender, and halfway between Aurora and Darwin's, it's tampered with. Marc almost does not survive in suspension long enough to reach Del's lab. The Athena is en route to Aurora, where she docks with the tender. Jarrat, Stone and CMO Kip Reardon realise the truth at once. Someone has tried to murder young Marc Brand ... to keep secret something he knew 25 years ago. Perhaps secrets that could spell the end for Scorpio?
The investigation takes Kevin Jarrat and Jerry Stone into the hearts of Aurora's super-cities, Thule and Inquanoc, but the seeds of rot lie as far away as Chryse, on Mars, in Earth's own backyard.
Pullquote:
Mel Keegan’s name is a byword for thrilling gay adventure in the past, present and future — MILLIVRES on Aquamarine.
 The NARC page
Reader reviews of this title
Read the first segment online!
(Note: see our caveat.)
PRAISE FOR DEATH'S HEAD:
"A powerful futuristic thriller" — Capital Gay.
"Unputdownable" — Him.
Reader reviews for this novel are online on the site here (visit our Reader Reviews page. (You can post your own comments to this site via the Readers Review page. Please note that this is a "moderated forum," where comments will be monitored, and may be edited prior to posting to prevent burned fingers and trodden toes!)
SEE ALSO
   
Mel Keegan comments on SCORPIO
Here is something which, just a few years ago, I would never have believed possible. A third NARC book is in print. I'm as close to speechless as I ever am, and often give myself a kick to make sure I'm not dreaming it!
The first synopsis for this book goes back to 1998, and I was in Fairbanks when I wrote it. Four or five 'generations' later, we've arrived at a monster of a novel. Its's almost exactly the same length as The Rabelais Alliance, and just 20k shorter than Nocturne, which we considered an epic. Writing SCORPIO was a sweet experience, but at the same time a little weird. Jarrat and Stone had been in a curious kind of limbo (a little like being in cryogen!) for over 12 years, and they'd just been resusciated, unchanged, unaged, ready to go. Meanwhile, as for myself, I've spent those years working darned hard, and I'm sure Jarrat and Stone have 'worn' better than I have!
This book was huge fun ... and before anyone asks, yes, there is a fourth novel, contingent only on this third one being kindly received!
2008 EDITOR'S NOTE: Four years on, we can tell you that SCORPIO was very warmly received indeed ... as were STOPOVER and APHELION. We're proud to rejacket the whole series for the editions being printed by Lulu.com. See the whole cover gallery, with notes!
   
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