The Starforged Gauntlet

The Echelos Fold threat is contained, but not defeated. Humanity's technological understanding has grown due to reverse-engineered alien tech, but so has the scale of the cosmic threats. In The Starforged Gauntlet, a new, terrifying enemy emerges: The Ravagers of Shuun, a purely destructive, nomadic alien fleet that consumes planets for resources, indifferent to life. They are less an invading army and more a cosmic force of nature, leaving dead worlds in their wake. To combat this overwhelming threat, "The Vanguard"—Captain Mira Halden, Sergeant Rafe "Torque" Maddix, Dr. Elenya Vos, and Corporal Ren Kess—alongside the world's remaining military forces (under the command of Admiral Silen Brade), must journey beyond Earth. They utilize a captured or repurposed alien vessel, venturing into the vast, cold indifference of the universe. Rafe's enhanced strength and durability are tested against the Ravagers' brutal weaponry, as he becomes a living shield against their devastating attacks. Ren's agility and heightened senses allow him to navigate their chaotic ship layouts and evade their relentless pursuit, becoming the team's eyes and ears in the void. Elenya's bio-engineering knowledge is crucial in understanding the Ravagers' consumption patterns, while Mira's precognition is pushed to its absolute limits against an enemy that operates without discernible patterns. This book is a desperate, galaxy-spanning conflict, forcing the team to confront not just alien enemies, but the vast, cold indifference of the universe itself, and the chilling possibility that their powers might be leading them to a greater, unforeseen destiny. The climax sees The Vanguard making a desperate stand against the Ravagers of Shuun, pushing their powers and their humanity to the breaking point, as they face the true, horrifying scale of cosmic consumption.