Too Close an Encounter

Humankind knew only one thing about the extraterrestrial Hun race: communication with them happened through warships – the Huns attacked anyone who approached their territory. Lieutenant Commander Vivian Evans wasn't too concerned about it; as the new tactical officer on the light cruiser Ardent, she had plenty of her own problems. But everything changed fundamentally when the Ardent received orders to travel to the Huns' home planet to attempt to establish a friendly dialogue with the aggressive aliens. Jan Kotouč (1987) focuses on the subgenres of military sci-fi and space opera, with most of his work revolving around conflicts in the distant future in the Hirano sector. His first standalone book, Pokračování diplomacie (Continuation of Diplomacy, 2009), was published by Klub Julese Vernea. Another novel, Tristanská občanská válka (Tristan Civil War), is scheduled to be released by the same publisher in two parts during 2011. The novella Příliš blízké setkání (An Encounter Too Close) won in its category at the 2008 Karel Čapek Prize, and the Pevnost Edition presents its revised and expanded version.