**Humans take their cats to space and immediately regret their decision.

Space is a dangerous place, but human-populated worlds are the most dangerous of all.

The ship is life! Save the ship.

The Cygnus-12 crew did just that, losing a quarter of their number repelling boarders. They returned home with news that they'd found an outpost of humanity, hostile, like Cygnus VII used to be.

The Hillcats decide that their role is critical in the overall success of the Cygnus Marines, and they invite themselves along for the ride.

Cain is challenged with building a small military unit to protect the deep space explorers. With the AI's help, he determines that Earth's Marines would fill the role best. Five millennia had passed since such a unit last existed, so Cain learns from old Marine Corps manuals and videos like the Sands of Iwo Jima, The DI, and The Siege of Firebase Gloria. With only that to go on, he recruits from the intelligent species to flesh out the ranks.

When the ship returns to Concordia, will the Marines and the cats be enough to help them?

Find out today.

Space is a dangerous place, but human-populated worlds are the most dangerous of all.
The ship is life! Save the ship.
The Cygnus-12 crew did just that, losing a quarter of their number repelling boarders. They returned home with news that they’d found an outpost of humanity, hostile, like Cygnus VII used to be.
Cain is challenged with building a small military unit to protect the deep space explorers. With the AI’s help, he determines that Earth’s Marines would fill the role best. Five millennia had passed since such a unit last existed, so Cain learns from old Marine Corps manuals and videos like the Sands of Iwo Jima, The DI, and The Siege of Firebase Gloria. With only that to go on, he recruits from a number of species to flesh out the ranks.
The Hillcats decide that their role is critical in the overall success of the Cygnus Marines, and they invite themselves along for the ride.
When the ship returns to Concordia, will the Marines and the cats be enough to help them?

**

From the Author

I love the Marine Corps and it was inevitable that I'd get it into my stories - it took fourteen books, but finally, I have my Space Marines:) Cygnus Expanding is about building up the Marines from ground zero. Who wouldn't want Wolfoids in their squad? Or lightning spears? Oorah:) We have a logo for the Cygnus Marines, too - it's inside the book. Enjoy

From the Inside Flap

Other Books by Craig Martelle**
 
The Terry Henry Walton Chronicles, a Kurtherian Gambit Series, with Michael Anderle

• Book 1 - Nomad Found (Dec 2016)
• Book 2 - Nomad Redeemed (Jan 2017)
• Book 3 - Nomad Unleashed (Feb 2017)
• Book 4 - Nomad Supreme (Feb 2017)

 
Free Trader Series

• Book 1 - The Free Trader of Warren Deep (February 2016)
• Book 2 - The Free Trader of Planet Vii (March 2016)
• Book 3 - Adventures on RV Traveler (April2016)
• Book 4 - Battle for the Amazon (August2016)
• Book 5 - Free the North! (September 2016)
• Book 6 - Free Trader on the High Seas (October 2016)
• Book 7 - Southern Discontent (2017)
• Book 8 - The Great 'Cat Rebellion (2017)
• Book 9 - Return to the Traveler (2017)

Cygnus Space Opera - set in the Free Trader Universe

• Book 1 - Cygnus Rising (Sep 2016)
• Book 2 - Cygnus Expanding (Nov 2016)
• Book 3 - Cygnus Arrives (2017)

End Times Alaska Series, a Winlock Press publication

• Book 1: Endure (June 2016)
• Book 2: Run (July 2016)
• Book 3: Return (August 2016)
• Book 4: Fury (January 2017)

Rick Banik Thrillers

• People Raged and the Sky Was on Fire (May 2016)
• The Heart Raged (2017)
• Paranoid in Paradise - a short story (2017)

Short Story Contributions to Anthologies

• Earth Prime Anthology,Volume 1 (Stephen Lee & James M. Ward)
• Apocalyptic Space Short Story Collection (Stephen Lee & James M. Ward)
• Lunar Resorts Anthology,Volume 2 (Stephen Lee & James M. Ward)
• Just One More Fight(published as a novella standalone)
• Wisdom's Journey (published as a novella standalone)
• The  Expanding Universe, Volume 1 (edited by Craig Martelle)
• The Misadventures of Jacob Wild McKilljoy (with Michael-Scott Earle)
• Metamorphosis Alpha -Chronicles from the Warden Vol 1 (with James M. Ward, edited by Craig Martelle)