Furnace

Lieutenant Michael Chalmers wakes early during a routine escort mission to a human colony. As the navigator of the RSA Rockne Hummel, he must determine why the ship has drifted off course. His scans reveal nothing, indicating the vessel has traveled beyond starlight by at least a hundred trillion light-years. A burning planetary-mass object appears behind them, holding hundreds of damaged ships in orbit. The crew finds no life signs aboard these wrecks before their scanners fail. System failures force the Hummel to crash near a mysterious ancient city on the planet's surface. Joseph Williams writes this tale of isolation and cosmic horror. The narrative focuses on Chalmers' struggle against mechanical failure and an unknown environment. It draws on science fiction traditions involving space travel gone wrong and ancient, unexplained ruins. The story does not offer easy answers or heroic rescues. This book suits readers who enjoy tense, atmospheric sci-fi horror with a focus on survival and mystery. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or clear resolutions. The narrative remains grounded in the immediate physical threats faced by the crew. Chalmers must confront the silence of the dead ships and the burning planet without hope of return.