First Command

BRILLIANT, INTREPID-AND NEEDING A VACATION Spacefaring nawal man John Grimes is no longer a green junior officer, and he's learned that sometimes going by the book won’t get the job done, and a brilliant improvisation may be called for. But he wishes that he didn’t have to be brilliant and intrepid on eveiy voyage. Spartan Planet—Grimes lands on the lost colony planet of Sparta, which has survived by using birth machines, resulting in a population only of men. And the women in the crew of Grimes’ ship are about to cause a lot of trouble ... The Inheritors—Grimes encounters another lost world, this one with felinelike inhabitants. And he has the responsibility of doing something about a thriwing interstellar slave trade. The Big Black Mark— On the ship Discovery, Grimes finds a situation uncomfortably like that of the Bounty mutiny centuries ago. Is history repeating itself? And is Grimes’ naval career at an end? The Far Traveler—The starship Far Traveler was built of gold to be a rich woman’s plaything. Though he’s now the captain, the very feminine, wery bossy ship’s Computer thinks it’s the real boss. Whether he’s a naval officer, or commanding a private starship, John Grimes is inevitably destined for greatness—whether he wants it or not... CONTENTS Spartan Planet • [John Grimes #5] • (as False Fatherland, 1968) • novel (DITMAR Award) The Inheritors • [John Grimes #6] • (1972) • novel The Big Black Mark • [John Grimes #7] • (1975) • novel (DITMAR Award) The Far Traveler • [John Grimes #8] • (as The Far Traveller, 1977) • novel