In the distant future, the Space Legion is a place where someone can get a fresh start and a new name. Individuals are assigned to various units depending on their skills, but the biggest screw-ups always seem to end up in Omega Company under command of Caption Jester. Caption Jester, otherwise known as William Phule is the son of the man who owns Phule Pruf Munitions. Wealthy like his father, Phule is perhaps the only person in the Legion to employ his own butler. But Beeker isn’t just any butler as Phule has trusted him with managing his not inconsiderable fortune. But when Beeker disappears, Phule is left with no other option but to follow him. And of course Phule’s commanding officer, General Blitzkrieg chooses that time to conduct a surprise inspection of the Omega Company. Now Phule and the Omega Company must find Beeker, before Blitzkrieg finds the evidence he needs to though Phule of the Space Legion forever.
This is the sixth book in the Phule series and it’s just as funny as the rest. The book is filled with puns and other word plays. For instance, Phule tracks Beeker to a tourist planet with a wild west theme. But while the people on the planet have figured out cowboys, they couldn’t decide what kind of Indians were in the wild west, so they choose all three. So Phule meets East Indians, West Indians and Wild Indians along with way, each complete with their unique language. If you haven’t read any of the other books in the series, you really should start with the first book, Phule’s Company. But if you’ve been following this series, I suggest you run right to your nearest book and pick up a copy.
Details: Ace, August 2006
Bottom line: A great book
