About Apollo Wept: Overture:
In 2103, America’s last fighter ace faces his strangest mission yet.Pen “Duke” Lencoln once ruled the skies in an F-61 Mustang, defending his country against overwhelming odds. Now, after a forced career change and the dismantling of America’s military might, he’s relegated to ferrying the elite between Earth and the lunar colonies—a far cry from the adrenaline-fueled combat that defined him.But when government archivists discover the Voyager probe carrying a plaque depicting only male and female humans, a scandal erupts. In New America, where 101 genders and 68 sexual orientations are federally recognized, this “erasure” constitutes the highest crime. To save humanity’s cosmic legacy, Pen is selected to command the USS DESPAIR on an unprecedented mission: intercept Voyager beyond the solar system and replace the offensive artifact.With weeks before departure, Pen meets Rene, an elementary teacher in an illegal 1980s-themed speakeasy, igniting an unexpected connection that complicates everything. As he assembles his crew and prepares to leave Earth, Pen discovers that powerful forces in both America and China are conspiring to ensure his mission fails. Armed with little more than his fighter pilot instincts and unexpected allies—including the Second Republic of Texas and help from a relative who died before he was born—Pen must navigate political minefields, sabotage, and impossible odds.The future of Western Civilization hangs in the balance, and failure isn’t in Duke Lencoln’s vocabulary. Sometimes the most important battles aren’t fought in the skies—they’re fought in the stars.If you enjoyed Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein, The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver, and Able Archer 83 by Phillip Jennings, you’ll love Apollo Wept: Overture.
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Author Bio:
Coyote is a decorated retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with an extraordinary career spanning four decades of military and civilian federal service with a distinguished background in military aviation and strategic planning. A seasoned Weapon Systems Officer, he flew both the legendary F-4 Phantom and the advanced F-15E Strike Eagle, embodying the precision and expertise that define the tactical air forces of the United States.
Coming of age in the rural areas of Southern Illinois and Western Tennessee in the dark ages before the Internet (or cable TV for that matter), Coyote spent his youth outdoors doing such hazardous activities as drinking from a garden hose, hunting and fishing with his Dad, and playing every sport that included some type of ball (golf and the un-American game called soccer being the exceptions). His passion for aviation was a cherished inheritance from his father, a tail gunner on the B-36J “Peacemaker,” the world’s first intercontinental nuclear bomber, ultimately guiding Coyote to Memphis State University and the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Throughout his distinguished military career, Coyote occupied critical roles that directly impacted national defense strategy. As a Strategic Planner at the Pentagon and recipient of the U.S. Air Force Test Director of the Year award, he was instrumental in developing comprehensive national defense strategies and evaluating cutting-edge weapons systems. His technical expertise—fortified by a Master’s in Systems Management and a Bachelor’s in Engineering Technology—enabled him to make significant contributions to operational testing and the development of joint doctrine, particularly during the revolutionary integration of unmanned aircraft systems into modern military operations.
In his post-military life, Coyote remains as dynamic and driven as during his service years. An avid long-distance runner, he has completed over ten marathons and fifty half marathons, demonstrating the same endurance and determination that characterized his military career. Alongside his wife of more than forty years—whom he met in Western Kentucky—he embraces travel and cherishes moments with their two grown sons and daughter-in-law. With a touch of humor, he admits to “spending the children’s inheritance” on cruise ships bound for tropical and warm destinations.
As an author, Coyote brings his wealth of military and strategic experience to his current literary pursuits. His writing is characterized by a direct, incisive style punctuated with dry humor and satirical wit. With a passionate commitment to critiquing contemporary social dynamics, he writes with the goal of challenging what he perceives as ideological trends threatening Western cultural foundations. His work is marked by a provocative examination of societal shifts, delivering commentary with the same strategic precision he once applied to military operations.
Beyond his writing and running, Coyote represents a bridge between generations—a living testament to service, adaptability, and continuous personal growth. His life story is a compelling narrative of dedication, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to understanding and shaping the world around him.