Old Guns: A Military Sci-Fi Adventure
They’re too old for this fight . . . but they’re the only ones left standing.
When the Colonial Shield Federation needs someone to face an ancient alien threat, they don’t call their best; they call the only two Marines who survived first contact. Problem is, a decade of hard living has taken its toll on Frank Cage and Martin Kelvin. Frank has spent the last ten years drowning his memories in whiskey and starting bar fights, while Martin walks around on a cybernetic leg, tending his garden and trying to forget the past.
But their retirement comes to an abrupt end when a military transport arrives, crushing Martin’s prized tomatoes and bringing orders that can’t be refused. It seems the Hollow have returned . . . Forced back into now-outdated power armor and paired with a squad of combat-tested scientists who think they know the enemy better than the people who fought them do, these two grizzled veterans must face something far worse than death.
Because the Hollow don’t just kill; they collect. In the depths of a long-buried facility, Frank and Martin will quickly find out if they still have what it takes to survive―and what it will truly cost them.
The first book and bonus prequel novella kick off this high-octane military sci-fi saga, marking the explosive start of an exciting collaboration between USA Today–bestselling author J.N. Chaney and New York Times–bestselling author Nicholas Sansbury Smith that’s perfect for fans of Expeditionary Force and Undying Mercenaries.
From the Publisher
ASIN : B0DT5PQBGB
Publisher : Podium Publishing
Publication date : March 24, 2026
Language : English
Print length : 350 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8347001644
Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 2 x 9 inches
Book 1 of 1 : Old Guns
Best Sellers Rank: #48,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Space Marine Science Fiction #18 in Space Operas #120 in Alien Invasion Science Fiction
Customer Reviews: 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (15) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Original price was: $19.99.$18.63Current price is: $18.63.
They’re too old for this fight . . . but they’re the only ones left standing.
When the Colonial Shield Federation needs someone to face an ancient alien threat, they don’t call their best; they call the only two Marines who survived first contact. Problem is, a decade of hard living has taken its toll on Frank Cage and Martin Kelvin. Frank has spent the last ten years drowning his memories in whiskey and starting bar fights, while Martin walks around on a cybernetic leg, tending his garden and trying to forget the past.
But their retirement comes to an abrupt end when a military transport arrives, crushing Martin’s prized tomatoes and bringing orders that can’t be refused. It seems the Hollow have returned . . . Forced back into now-outdated power armor and paired with a squad of combat-tested scientists who think they know the enemy better than the people who fought them do, these two grizzled veterans must face something far worse than death.
Because the Hollow don’t just kill; they collect. In the depths of a long-buried facility, Frank and Martin will quickly find out if they still have what it takes to survive―and what it will truly cost them.
The first book and bonus prequel novella kick off this high-octane military sci-fi saga, marking the explosive start of an exciting collaboration between USA Today–bestselling author J.N. Chaney and New York Times–bestselling author Nicholas Sansbury Smith that’s perfect for fans of Expeditionary Force and Undying Mercenaries.
From the Publisher
ASIN : B0DT5PQBGB
Publisher : Podium Publishing
Publication date : March 24, 2026
Language : English
Print length : 350 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8347001644
Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 2 x 9 inches
Book 1 of 1 : Old Guns
Best Sellers Rank: #48,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Space Marine Science Fiction #18 in Space Operas #120 in Alien Invasion Science Fiction
Customer Reviews: 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (15) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
6 reviews for Old Guns: A Military Sci-Fi Adventure
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Original price was: $19.99.$18.63Current price is: $18.63.
L.M. –
Vintage Badasses, Fresh Trouble
Old Guns is the kind of book that reminds you of all the things you can become when life has seasoned you with experience. It’s gruff, it’s warm, it’s unexpectedly funny — and the leads embody that perfect blend of grumpy charm and hard‑earned wisdom that only well‑developed characters can pull off.The story itself feels timeless, but it’s told with the sharp, grounded perspective Nicholas Sansbury Smith brings to all his work. You can feel his signature style in the pacing, the grit, and the emotional undercurrent that runs through every chapter.This isn’t just a tale about older heroes; it’s a celebration of resilience, humor, and the kind of strength that doesn’t fade with age — it just changes shape. A fantastic read and a strong start to what I hope becomes a long‑running series.”
Mr.Bill –
Old Guns: A Military Sci-fi Adventure – a very difficult book to put down.
Another excellent adventure by two of the best Sci-Fi writers in the business, J.N. Chaney and Nicholas Sansbury, Mr. ‘Hell Diver,’ himself. Add to this dynamic writing duo, the voice of R.C. Bray, and you’ve got a trifecta of talent.The book ‘Old Guns’ reunites a couple of basically, ‘mothballed’ spacers who have an uncomfortable history. When duty calls, like it or not, their experiences are required. ‘Old Guns’ takes the reader to a unique region of space where an unsettling discovery will test everything this crew has ever encountered. -Mr.Bill
Veron –
A Fantastic Adventure with feral banter!
OLD GUNS is everything I hoped it’d be! The banter between Frank and Martin was feral, and I loved it! NSS and Chaney created a brilliant and terrifying alien life-form in the Hollow, and I found myself holding my breath more than once. I adore Cosmo and Rex, their K9 companions who brought so much humanity to this alien space adventure! I can’t wait for the next installment!
Thio Isobel Moss –
Forged in a Crucible
Frank and Martin thought their friendship and their time in the Marines were over. They thought wrong. When an old enemy resurfaces, their expertise as the only survivors of the last atrocity is required. They’re pulled out of retirement, dusted off, and sent to an alien world before they fully realize what’s happening. Unfortunately for them, a few details escaped their orientation.If you enjoyed the movie RED, and like the idea of swapping retired spies for Marines and the US for alien worlds, Old Guns will be right up your alley.From the first few pages, I was emotionally invested and hurting. What Frank and Martin go through is rough; their reactions, believable. It isn’t an easy read, but that hardship is the backbone of the story. The arc of their relationship is methodical and intense—forged in a crucible.Who they are and why they are the way they are is thoroughly developed. Something interesting happens with the secondary characters, however. There are a few standouts, but they mostly congeal into a faceless lump. Early on, it strikes me as fairly realistic. They’re on a mission and tasked with protecting civilian scientists. Their view of these scientists is rather one-dimensional, but Marines need to evaluate people and situations quickly. The diagnosis is a familiar stereotype: brilliant minds with no sense. It lacks nuance, but two of them certainly earn it. Later, we’re introduced to a few military scientists—still brilliant, but less likely to accidentally kill themselves.We spend a fair bit of time with this second batch, but again, they tend to clump together. Oddly enough, it doesn’t particularly bother me. They are recent acquaintances of Frank and Martin’s—coworkers, more or less, and they serve their purpose well enough. N’Joku does distinguish himself, as does Grommet. One character, who gets very little page time but uses it efficiently, becomes admirably hateable.The story is interesting, keeping the reader uncertain about what they actually know and what they think they know. The pacing does drag a bit in places, but the action is lively and suspenseful. There are frequent and abrupt shifts in the point of view; it can be a little jarring. The ending does not resolve the conflict—it isn’t a cliffhanger, but it keeps the tension taut.Old Guns lives up to its title; Martin and Frank are wonderful characters in a story that is anything but cookie-cutter. It has action, it has suspense, and more than a few emotional gut punches—making it a thoroughly enjoyable read.Thank you, Podium Entertainment, for the opportunity to read Old Guns. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and I am writing this review voluntarily.
Tim –
Best scifi of the year!
Old Guns executed better than expected! I’ve loved multiple series by both authors, and this feels like a peak performance from both.The introduction to our heroes gives us a strong grounding in the suffering they’ve endured. The cost of war has hit them hard. The invitation to more suffering is met with a relatable struggle that engaged me with their survival and success. I really like these guys, Martin and Frank, and am glad they each get a dog because why not?! The set up feels authentic and easily guided me into the call to action.From there, more awesome. These authors have built amazing universes. The conflict and authentic humanity displayed in this universe is possibly their best yet.It’s not hard to cheer this series with mucho enthusiasm!To quote our heroes:“Everybody likes me. I’m very likable.” Martin snorted. “Sure, when you’re not being a complete (edited out for review).”“Which is . . . sometimes.”Humble, hilarious and heroic. I’m all in on this series, especially with R.C. Bray’s gritty toned narration.
G. Allen –
Another must read!
I read everything Nicholas Sansbury Smith puts out. R. C. Bray narrating? Icing on the cake. This is my first introduction to J.N. Chaney and you can bet I’ll be looking into more of his work.I always expect big things from NSS and when he starts a new series I can’t wait to dive into the new world. I was absolutely not disappointed. Martin and Frank thought their days in armor were over. Boy could they not have been more wrong. I loved these rich, relatable characters. Their relationships with each other, and the others in the group, was lively and entertaining. I swear I served with these guys.It’s amazing how quickly I blew through this book. I couldn’t put it down. You won’t be able to either.