To be given the opportunity to write in the extended Alien universe is a real privilege, and one I would have been astonished to learn I would be given, when watching the first movie for the first time as a barely teenage science fiction fan.
It’s actually quite a daunting task to begin an Alien novel. The movies and the associated novels and comic books have, quite rightly, a strong and loyal fanbase who will accept nothing less than a work that is worthy of joining that canon of interconnected stories. I hope that this novel satisfies on that front, or at least, doesn’t disappoint.
Many fine writers have helped to put together the wider Alien universe, creating a vast machine powered by intricate cogs and greased with black goo. I would especially point you toward Alex White, as their novel Into Charybdis formed the springboard for Colony War, just as this will lead to the next book to come along.
Alex coined the term the Lone Gun People, riffing off The X-Files, for what they called a secret coven of Alien superfans who know the universe inside and out. I have been very fortunate to have access to them during the writing of this, and what Clara Čarija and Drew Gaska do not know about the Alien universe is simply not worth knowing. They helped me with the most minute details and gave me insights into the bigger picture. This novel would not be what it is without them, and I am wholly thankful for their knowledge, help and patience with me asking questions ranging from “I want these guys to be over here and need them to get over there in two weeks, so where is here and how far away is there?” to “What exactly does this gun do, and what is it called?”
From Titan I would like to thank editor Steve Saffel, for giving me this opportunity and for keeping this book on the straight and narrow, and his colleagues Nick Landau, Vivian Cheung, Laura Price, Michael Beale, Paul Simpson, George Sandison, and Hannah Scudamore. Similarly, from 20th Century Studios: Nicole Spiegel and Sarah Huck, plus Tomas Härenstam, Nils Karlén, and Christian Granath of Free League Publishing, and Joe LeFavi of Genuine Entertainment.
Finally, I am indebted to Amanda and Tracey, who lost their beloved mum Merrilyn Hambleton at the start of 2021. They graciously allowed me to use their mother’s name for a character in this book. I didn’t know the real Merrilyn, but I understand that she was several leagues above her fictional counterpart in the kick-ass stakes, and I’m pleased to be able to allow her this small moment of immortality.
I hope my addition to the sprawling, ever-growing Alien universe meets with a good reception, because it really has been a dream come true playing with these toys. And hopefully you’re reading this after the novel and haven’t cheated by coming here first. In any case, I’m really sorry about the dog.