Showing results by narrator "William Mangieri" in All Categories

Herc Tom remains under suspicion following the escape of his clone with Colonel Tulin. Even his fighter Shadow has abandoned him to take up with the fugitives. To make matters worse, they seem to have gone to the dogs–the empire’s most recent nemesis. Herc knows that he should be the one to stop these Turncats from whatever mischief they plan; he could save the empire once again, but no one trusts him, including Emperor Octavio. Well, as has happened before, it is better to forego purrmission in favor of asking forgiveness later. Or so he hopes.

Empress Isabella and her cohorts are back under wraps, but now evil forces are toying with the imperial succession. Feline or canine, a plot to undermine the peace and security of Ramses is afoot, and it’s up to Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire to discover what treachery is behind the cat’s paw. “The Cat’s Paw" is a speculative fiction novelette, and is the tenth of the Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire stories.

With the imminent threat of the Canines’ return, the empire should be focused on preparations, but imperial politics, espionage and intrigue continue. See how Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire faces some interesting challenges in Cats of War III. The collection contains the following stories: “Imperial Imperilment” Lord Phylo and his Canine Armada have been vanquished, but for how long? What damage does former Empress Isabella intend to inflict on the Ramses Empire? And will Champion of the Empire Herc Tom be able to prevent this “Imperial Imperilment”?

In “Baastard’s Revenge”, Champion of the Empire Tom thinks this is a mere diplomatic mission to Baast; little does he know what the Baastards have in store for him. But don't worry - this cat has proven time and again that he has more than the usual nine lives. Listen to find out how Herc finds his way out of this one.

Join Major Herc Tom on his early escapades and see how he became Champion of the Empire. Cats of War I contains the first three Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire stories: Purr-Mission: Major Tom’s dander is up. His cub is dying of the Morient Virus, and he knows their sworn enemies are responsible (the Baastards!), but bureaucats order him not to go to their planet to recover the antidote. Well, it’s easier to beg forgiveness than to ask Purr-mission. Nipped in the Butt: More intrigue as a familiar hallucinogen finds its way into Ramses society. Are their long-time adversaries behind it?

The filthy Canines have taken the Quartz Sector and overthrown Ramses’ nemesis on Baast. The Emperor has vowed that the feline systems will NOT go to the dogs, so it’s up to Herc Tom to once again to save the Empire AND the Baastards. But unbeknownst to our hero, Inga Quin left a surprise the last time she was in Herc’s head; he may not be quite himself, but someone else might be.

Champion of the Empire Hercules Tom is on the outs with Emperor Maxamillian and, Imperial Purrogative being what it is, has to deal with Rotter plots, traitors, assassins, and other Imperial intrigues.

Lord Phylo and his Canine Armada have been vanquished, but for how long? What damage does former Empress Isabella intend to inflict on the Ramses Empire? And will Champion of the Empire Herc Tom be able to prevent this “Imperial Imperilment”?

Major Tom has plans for his leave time: this cat is finally going to get some much needed R&R with his mates. But recent additions to the household (including his Admiral father-in-law and an uppity mouse chef), as well as an unexpected visit from yet another enemy puts his whiskers in a twist. Ready for a comical adventure with some unlikely characters? Listen to “Cat and Mouse.” "Cat and Mouse" is a speculative fiction short story, and is the third of his "Major Tom, Champion of the Empire" tales.

Champion of the Empire Herc Tom longs for more interesting times. His wish is fulfilled with the return of the Lost Baastards, a couple of prison breaks, the kidnapping of a Prince, the reappearance of an assassin, an alien invasion, and fifteen different kinds of treachery. Maybe life wasn’t all that boring after all. “Cats Out of the Bag" is a speculative fiction novelette, and is the sixth of the “Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire" tales.

Herc Tom hasn’t been treated like much of a champion lately. Ever since returning from his latest escapades on Baast he’s been kept under house arrest. It doesn’t seem fair. He didn’t ask to be brainwashed by the evil Doctor Inga Quin, and besides–that’s all been cleaned out of his mind. And it’s not his fault that she made a homicidal clone of him. After all, he foiled the clone’s attempted assassination of both Ramses’ Emperor Octavio and Baast’s Supreme Leader Pang, didn’t he?

The Lynx hasn’t returned from his mission, so it’s up to disfavored Champion of the Empire Herc Tom to discover what’s happened to him, and what the deceitful feline Isabella and the diabolical canine Lord Phylo are up to in this tale of two species. “A Tail of Two Species" is a speculative fiction novelette, and is the ninth of the Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire stories.

Empress Isabella continues to increase her hold on power with the help of her Slobberer allies. It’s up to our Champion of the Empire and his friends to do something about it.

Champion of the Empire Hercules Tom thinks this is a mere diplomatic mission to Baast; little does he know what the Baastards have in store for him. But don't worry - this cat has proven time and again that he has more than the usual nine lives. Listen to find out how Herc finds his way out of this one.

Things have never been better between Jimmy and Diana. The Southside Restoration is practically on autopilot, and Diana is able to devote her professional time to the Working Sisters Foundation. But someone wants to take it all away from her, including Jimmy. Add in a couple of murders, a mystery assassin, a weaponized aphrodisiac, and wedding festivities and proposals – Jimmy has a lot of figuring to do.

More intrigue as a familiar hallucinogen finds its way into Ramses society. Are their long-time adversaries behind it? Time for Major Tom to save the Empire again… Ready for more comic adventures with your favorite feline? Listen to “Nipped in the Butt.”

A deadly virus, a dying cub, a world in the balance, and all that's needed to save them is PURR MISSION. Major Tom’s dander is up. His cub is dying of the Morient Virus, and this cat knows that the Ramses Empire's sworn enemies are responsible (the deceitful feline bastards!), but bureaucats have ordered him not to go to their planet to recover the antidote. Well, it’s easier to beg forgiveness than to ask purrmission. Ready for heroism, adventure, space, spies, and lives in the balance? Give “Purr Mission” a listen.

Detective Jimmy Delaney finds himself involved in yet another murder. He knows something smells in Barnstow, but can he use that to find the killer? Give it a listen and see how Jimmy sniffs out “The Scent of the Crime.” "The Scent of the Crime" is a speculative detective fiction, set slightly in the future; it's the fourth Detective Jimmy Delaney story. If you like a little self-deprecation and humor with some sci-fi elements thrown in (think "The Rockford Files" mashed up with the old BBC "The Avengers") this is the series for you.

When Jimmy left the force and started his "Delaney's Investigation Company", he expected to be living the life of Riley. A few months later, and the dust still hasn't had time to settle from the Preiss and Simms murders, but Jimmy's ongoing divorce has swallowed his imagined riches. What would Jimmy do without the city's thriving blackmail industry? That may go away, as candidate Mathews is promising to clean up Barnstow; but Jimmy isn't sure Mathews has the right idea.

Nothing was going Jimmy’s way, lately. Jill had moved to Portland and filed for divorce. Sure, Jimmy should have never gotten that illegal jack, but how was he to know that the Yons would use it to make him kill Eddie? Then the prosecutor thought Jimmy’s credibility was shot and wouldn’t put him on the stand at their trial. Even if he had been drugged part of the time, the jury would have still believed him. It wasn’t like they could prove that he’d been an accessory. They’d busted him down from detective, anyway.