Lance Star: Sky Ranger

Click here for the non-BEN Books Lance Star: Sky Ranger books.

###

NEW SERIALIZED STORY!
LANCE STAR: SKY RANGER in
"LANCE STAR AND THE GHOST SQUADRON!"


Lance Star and the Ghost Squadron













Chapter 1.

Utah. October 1940.

The first attack caught everyone off guard.

One moment, all was calm and quiet, a normal evening, the next chaos reigned. Jacob Cutter stood on the deck of the log cabin he called home, sipping on a cup of hot coffee, no cream, two sugars, a nightly ritual as he watched the sun start its slow descent behind the mountain range that offered him a panoramic view each day and night. He loved it here. It was peaceful.

Most nights.

This night would be different.

The first hint of trouble came in the form of a howling wail, as if the very heavens themselves had begun to scream. Mr. Cutter had lived there all his life. He thought he had seen it all, heard it all, that he was prepared for anything.

He was wrong.

They came out of the purpling night, looking from a distance like large fireflies streaking across the darkening sky. A shimmering white glow surrounded them, adding to their unearthly appearance. Cutter had never seen anything like them, as though they were something from a dream.

When they zoomed by overhead, buzzing his cabin, he realized that this was more than just some sort of trick of the light. They were airplanes. As a pilot, and former Naval Air Corp officer, he recognized the design of the planes as they passed by overhead. They were an older model, similar in design to those he had flown while a naval aviator during the war.

He didn’t know where they were going, or why they glowed like… well, the only word that seemed to fit was ghosts, but he planned to find out.

His coffee forgotten, Jacob Cutter ran through the cabin, grabbing his keys and shotgun as he headed out to the well-traveled pick-up truck parked out back. He hopped in and followed the planes. The glow was a mystery, but it helped him keep an eye on them as he careened down the dirt road in pursuit, kicking up clouds of dust in his wake.

Who are you? he wondered. Like most pilots, he had heard stories about ghost squadrons who had been lost during combat, continuing to fly missions as specters. He didn’t believe such nonsense, but he was hard pressed to come up with a better answer.

Smiling as he gained on them, Cutter felt his adrenaline flowing. It reminded him of combat, of leaping headlong into the unknown without a parachute. He was enjoying the chase, which is probably why catching up to the planes didn’t alarm him. At least not at first.

The lead plane arced right, its wingman going left. That maneuver told him that he’d been spotted. They turned and flew toward the truck speeding down the back road.

The planes might have looked like ghosts, but their bullets were quite real. They opened fire.

To be continued…













Chapter 2.

Lance Star had landed planes on every terrain imaginable, from airstrips to aircraft carriers, from fields of wheat to mountain passes, and more. Setting the Skybolt II down on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere Utah did not pose a problem.

It had been years since his last visit to this part of the world. Back then, he'd been delivering a custom-built plane to another satisfied client. In addition to being a world-renowned adventurer and war hero, both of which brought his life no end of excitement and annoyance, in equal measure, Lance owned Lance Star, Inc., an aircraft design and manufacturing facility located in upstate New York. They built planes for various businesses, medical organizations, Hollywood movie studios, private clients, and they also held a few government contracts. He also owned and operated Star Field, a private airport connected to the manufacturing complex. He lived in a small cabin on the far end of the property. The business paid the bills that allowed Lance and the other Sky Rangers to travel the world on their various misadventures.

A frantic phone call from a friend sent him flying out from Star Field in the wee hours of the morning with Buck Tellonger tagging along as his co-pilot. Cy Hawkins and Red Davis were scheduled to follow later in the morning in their one-man Hornets. The Hornets were fast and maneuverable, perfect in aerial combat. Their adventures during the war inspired the sleek, aerodynamic design.

The Skybolt II was the signature vessel of the Sky Rangers, the name hung on Lance's team back during the war when newsreel footage captured amazing footage of the original Skybolt in action. When that fabled plane was destroyed, the team immediately started designing a new one. The design remained similar, though the new plane carried several upgrades over the original.

Jacob Cutter waited nearby, shading his eyes to ward off the glare from the silver sesquaplane as it rolled to a stop in the space marked. Lance, Buck, and Jacob had all met during the war when the Sky Rangers were temporarily assigned to aid his unit with a mission. The mission was a success but remained classified to the day.

After deplaning and a round of hellos and greetings, the three pilots headed toward Cutter's cabin. As they hiked across the field, their old friend explained why he called them. “Thanks for coming, guys,” he started. "I didn't know who else to call.”

“We'll help if we can, “Lance said. “You know that.”

“I appreciate it. I talked to the local sheriff, but he all but laughed me out of his office.” He opened the door to his barn. Inside sat his pickup truck. “Even with the evidence, something tells me he won't be much help.”

“Do you know who attacked you?”

“Yeah. But you’re not going to believe it. It was a ghost.”

To be continued…


Chapter 3.

Lance Star whistled. “This is some heavy-duty artillery, Cut,” he said, taking a closer look at Jacob Cutter’s bullet-damaged vehicle. “You're lucky to be alive.”

Cutter ran a hand through his hair. “Don’t I know it.”

“Did you get a good look at the attackers?" Buck asked.

“Yes. That's the problem”

“How so?”

“It's the darndest thing, Lance. I could have sworn these things were ghosts. Four of ‘em.”

“Ghosts? You mean like the shadow brigade we faced over Berlin that time?”

“No. I don't mean stealthy. I'm talking a Bob Cratchit kind of ghost.”

“You realize how that sounds, right?”

“Yes, I do, Buck. But bullet holes don't lie, do they?” He pointed at the battered truck.

Buck shrugged. “It is hard to refute the evidence.”

“So, you'll help me?”

“Of course,” Lance said.

“Good. Because there’s a four plane ghost squadron out there, gentlemen,” Jacob Cutter said, staring off toward the open plains and the mountains that dotted the horizon. “And they're up to no good.”

“Then I suggest we go take a look,” Lance said. “Can you take us out to where you were shot at last night?”

“You bet,” Cutter said. “I have to tell you boys, despite the situation, I’m as excited as a schoolboy to get to ride in the famous Skybolt. I’ve seen you guys in action in recent newsreels. Bob at the deli doesn’t believe me when I tell him I know you guys.”

“Maybe, once this is all over, we’ll swing by and let you introduce us,” Lance joked.

“Deal.”

After gassing up the Skybolt, Jacon Cutter climbed into the seat behind Lance Star in the Skybolt II’s main cockpit. Buck Tellonger climbed into the second cockpit, the co-pilot nest. Once they were strapped in, the silver plane’s mighty engines roared to life. Seconds later, they were in the air, the plains stretching out beneath them.

“It’s your backyard, Cut. Which way?”

Cutter relayed directions and coordinates to the pilot. The plane arced in an easterly direction, following a dirt road that cut through the wide-open plains.

“Any idea what we’re looking for?” Buck asked, his voice coming through the speakers.

“None,” Cutter responded, squeezing the pressure plate on the throat mic each of them wore. “There’s a whole lot of nothing in front of us. A few ranchers and farmers scattered about, but nothing that would warrant an attack squad like the one I saw.”

“Let’s head toward those rocky buttes,” Lance suggested as he changed course. “If I were trying to hide a squadron of planes, that’s probably where I’d start.”

“You might be right,” Buck said. “Someone just fired a rocket at us. Incoming!”

To be continued...


Lance Star and the Ghost Squadron
Chapter 4.

Lance Star took immediate evasive action. As a veteran of a world war and countless adventures that put his team and aircraft in the crosshairs of one villain or another, his reflexes were sharp. There wasn’t much he couldn’t pull off in the cockpit of an airplane.

The Skybolt dropped like a stone, the straps tightening as they pinned the passengers to their seats. “Talk to me, Buck!”

“Bogey coming in from two o’clock,” Buck’s voice echoed in his ear. A combat air ace, his voice remained neutral, calm. “One incoming surface to air missile. We’re being painted as the target, but I can’t tell from where. Bring us around for another look.”

“Hold onto your hats.” Lance took the plane into a roll, spinning the Skybolt out of the path of the missile, which passed by them, missing by only a few feet. The maneuver also gave Buck a better line of sight with the launch site. Surface to air missiles followed a search beam pointed at the target, painting it for the missile to find. Selenium cells reflected the beam to keep the missile flying true.

It was a good system, and worked well enough, but an experienced pilot suck as Lance Star had a better than average chance of escaping the beam.

Above them, the missile exploded, a shockwave hitting the Skybolt. No damage, but a turbulent ride.

“See anything, Buck?”

“Not yet. I--- We’ve got another missile incoming!”

Buck’s shouted warning sent Lance into instant evasive maneuvers. The missile flew past, missing the Skybolt by mere inches.

“Number three incoming,” Buck called.

“Hold on,” Lance told his passenger before pulling up hard on the yoke and taking the silver streak of a plane into a steep climb. “Anything, Buck?” he called through the mic.

“Clocked it!” Buck shouted, triumphant. “I’ve got a fix on the launch site’s location. They’re tucked in under a massive rocky outcropping. Or maybe it’s a cavern entrance. Hard to see from the air. I only got a fix on it because of the missile’s smoke trail.”

“Where’s the missile now?”

“Heading right for us, Lance,” Buck warned. “Putting us in place to spot the site also put us in the crosshairs.”

“We’re not beat yet,” Lance said. “There’s still a few tricks I haven’t tried yet.”

“Oh, my stomach doesn’t like the sound of that,” Cutter said from behind Lance.

“Didn’t you used to do barrel rolls after eating a big breakfast?” Lance joked as he took the Skybolt into a similar maneuver to the one they were discussing.

“That was a long time ago, pal,” Cutter groaned, feeling intense pressure push him deeper into his seat. “I’m not that guy anymore.”

“Lucky for you, I am,” Lance started, but a hard impact silenced him. The missile slammed into the Skybolt and exploded.

To be continued…

###

Look! Up in the Sky! It's LANCE STAR: SPACE RANGER!


That's right! Look for an all-new Lance Star comic book adventure from writer Bobby Nash and artist Jeff Austin in Dark Sister Magazine issue 15!

Now on sale! Get yours today!

About Dark Sister #15: From space rangers to sword and sorcery, from pinups queens to pirates, this Dark Sister comics anthology delves into macabre adventures that titillate and amuse. Featuring a cast of indy artists and writers at the top of their game! For mature audiences!


Dark Sister Issue 15
is available at the following retailers:
Amazon US (paperback)
Amazon CA (paperback)
Amazon UK (paperback)
Available at Amazon locations worldwide.

Learn more about Lance Star: Sky Ranger at https://lancestar.blogspot.com

###


Pulp Reality #4
A pulpy action anthology.

2023 Pulp Factory Award WINNER: Best Pulp Anthology - Pulp Reality #4
2023 Pulp Factory Award WINNER: Best Pulp Short Story - Clyde Hall's "Wind Reel & Print"

The Award-Winning Pulp Reality returns with another action-packed issue featuring some of the best authors and artists in the New Pulp genre. Featured in this issue are Charles F. Millhouse, Bobby Nash, Clyde Hall, Brian K. Morris, Brian Rodman, Rick Bradly, Jeffrey Ray Hayes, Clayton Murwin, Ted Davies, Stephen Burks and Erikius Castro.

Inspired by the Pulp Magazines from the 1930’s and 40’s Pulp Reality is a throwback to days gone by. Take a seat, sit back and be whisked away to Adventure. From high-flying action to the ghostly hauntings at #17, to off-world mayhem, PR4 has something for everyone.


Pulp Reality 4
 is available now in paperback (ebook to follow soon) at the following retailers:
Amazon US (paperback)
Amazon CA (paperback)
More to follow.

Pulp Reality 4 features the second titanic team-up between pulp aviator heroes Captain Hawklin and Lance Star: Sky Ranger in a story called “Switchback” written by Charles F. Millhouse. The Sky Rangers also appear in “The Great Land War” by Bobby Nash. Plus, many other exciting tales.

###

LANCE STAR AND THE CROWN OF GENGIS KAI
A Pulp Adventure Novella

This all-new Lance Star: Sky Ranger adventure from author Bobby Nash is pure action-packed pulp fiction from start to finish as he takes Lance Star and fellow Sky Ranger, Buck Tellonger on a journey around the world into a seedy island nation run by a corrupt dictator where they face off against secret police squads, smugglers, pirates, and maybe even a mythological monster or two. This one’s got everything, my friends, including a volcano on the verge of eruption, because, of course there is.

If you’re looking for non-stop action and adventure, Lance Star: Sky Ranger has your ticket to fly!

Written by Bobby Nash.
Cover/Interior Art by James Burns.
Published by BEN Books.

About Lance Star and the Crown of Gengis Kai:

The Hunt is on! After a lifetime of searching for it, Professor Simon Prentiss has at long last discovered the location of the fabled Crown of legendary outlaw Gengis Kai on the island nation of Magnapor.

Stymied by Magnapor's tyrannical dictator, a man known only as The Overlord, Professor Prentiss calls on his oldest friend to help, American Ace Adventurer, Lance Star and his partner, Buck Tellonger.

This one has it all. Action! Adventures! Volcanoes! Vile Villains! Lava Rock Monsters! Pirates! Danger! Excitement! and more!

New Pulp's #1 Air Ace Returns in an All-New Adventure from BEN Books and award-winning author Bobby Nash.


Lance Star and the Crown of Gengis Kai
 is available at the following retailers:
Amazon US (paperback)
Amazon CA (paperback)
Amazon UK (paperback)
Amazon DE (paperback)
Amazon FR (paperback)
Amazon ES (paperback)
Amazon IT (paperback)
Amazon JP (paperback)
Amazon US (ebook)
Amazon UK (ebook)
Amazon CA (ebook)
Amazon NL (ebook)
Amazon JP (ebook)
Amazon BR (ebook)
Amazon MX (ebook)
Amazon AU (ebook)
Amazon IN (ebook)
Amazon DE (ebook)
Amazon FR (ebook)
Amazon ES (ebook)
Amazon IT (ebook)
Read it FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

#####

If you've been enjoying the serialized Lance Star and the Crown of Gengis Kai at www.patreon.com/bobbynash and https://newpulpheroes.com/lance-star-sky-ranger please take a look at some of previous adventures of Lance Star and the Sky Rangers. New serialized chapters debut this week.

The Adventures of Lance Star: Sky Ranger by Bobby Nash (ebook collection)
Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 1 (paperback/audio/ebook)
Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 2 (paperback/ebook/audio)
Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 3 (paperback/ebook/audio)
Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 4 (paperback/ebook/audio)
Lance Star: Sky Ranger "One Shot!" (comic/ebook)
Pulp Adventures #32 (magazine)
Pulp Reality #1 (magazine)
AIRSHIP 27 PRESENTS: ALL-STAR PULP COMICS VOL. 2 (comic)
AIRSHIP 27 PRESENTS: ALL-STAR PULP COMICS VOL. 3 (comic)

The Sky Rangers also make guest appearances in the following:
DOMINO LADY: SEX AS A WEAPON (paperback/ebook/audio)
DOMINO LADY: SEX AS A WEAPON (hardcover)
SECRET AGENT X - “The Sea Wraiths” (paperback/ebook)
Operation: Silver Moon (comic/ebook)

Learn more about Lance Star: Sky Ranger at http://lancestar.blogspot.com

Ready on the flight line!

Bobby

#####

Pulp Reality #1
A pulpy action anthology.

2021 PULP FACTORY AWARD WINNER: BEST PULP ANTHOLOGY
2021 PULP FACTORY AWARD WINNER: BEST PULP COVER - DAVID AVILES

2021 PULP FACTORY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PULP ANTHOLOGY
2021 PULP FACTORY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PULP COVER - DAVID AVILES

Car chases, two-fisted heroes, underwater mayhem, the coming of B-Man...!! This is Pulp Reality. A collection of seven short stories from today’s top authors and artists in the genre of NEW PULP. Take a seat, as we pull back the curtain on days gone by – with heroic escapades of yesteryear and edge of your seat adventures in the vein of the old pulps from the golden-age of storytelling.

Pulp Reality #1 can be purchased at the follow retailers:
Amazon US
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Ebook coming soon!

Bobby's story in Pulp Reality #1 is called "Showdown at Scavenger Quay" and features the first titanic team-up between Bobby Nash's Lance Star: Sky Ranger and Charles F. Millhouse's Captain Hawklin that you won't want to miss. It's going to be explosive!


#####

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE SERIALIZED NOVELLA "LANCE STAR AND THE CROWN OF GENGHIS KAI" CONTINUES!


Chapter 4 of Lance Star and the Crown of Gengis Kai is now live at www.patreon.com/bobbynash

Ready for adventure? Let's go! Lance Star: Sky Ranger rockets into adventure in an all-new serialized novella written by author Bobby Nash for Patreon. You can read the first chapter for FREE HERE. Subsequent chapters are available for patrons only. Tiers start as low as $1. Not a patron? No worries. Joining is easy. Patreon tiers begin as low as $1 a month. The $5 and higher tiers enroll you in the ebook of the month club and all patron tiers receive behind the scenes information, sneak peeks at upcoming projects, and an almost daily writing blog. All monies raised goes to helping Bobby keep creating new stories and adventures.

The story so far...
When an old friend of his calls and asks to meet, Lance Star and his trusted ally, Buck Tellonger head to the mysterious island nation of Magnapor, an island filled with dangers. Professor Simon Prentiss needs Lance's help to recover the fabled Crown of Gengis Kai. Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones on the trail of this missing treasure. The all-new Lance Star: Sky Ranger novella continues.

Learn more about Lance Star: Sky Ranger HERE.
Written by Bobby Nash.
Cover art by James Burns

Ready on the flight line!

#####


A new serialized Lance Star: Sky Ranger pulp adventure by author Bobby Nash continues at www.patreon.com/bobbynash! Ace pilot and adventurer, Lance Star rockets into adventure in a new serialized novella written by author Bobby Nash for Patreon. You can read the first chapter for FREE here. Subsequent chapters will be available for patrons only so, please, join us today! Tiers start as low as $1 a month.

The story so far...
Lance Star and his trusted ally, Buck Tellonger head to the mysterious island nation of Magnapor at the request of Simon Prentiss, an old friend of Lance's. Lance and Buck arrive at their destination as we pick with chapter two. The all-new Lance Star: Sky Ranger novella continues. Cover art by James Burns.

Read more at www.patreon.com/bobbynash
Learn more about Lance Star: Sky Ranger HERE.
Published by BEN Books.

Ready for adventure? Let's go! 

Bobby

#####

NEW COVER REVEAL
LANCE STAR AND THE CROWN OF GENGIS KAI 
COVER ART BY JAMES BURNS!


I have the most creative friends. The new Lance Star: Sky Ranger serialized novel premiered with chapter 1 on Patreon early this morning. The Lance Star and the Crown of Gengis Kai (this is the final, corrected title, by the way) novella is a retelling of a comic strip story I wrote a few years back. The novella will take the premise of the comic strip and flesh it out. You can follow the serialized novel at www.patreon.com/bobbynash each week. Patreon tiers start as low as $1. This is the 3rd serialized novel. Suicide Bomb and the upcoming "In The Wind" were originally presented in a serialized chapter uploaded each week(ish).

original cover
original cover
The original strip was drawn by James Burns, who also handled the art on the Lance Star: Sky Ranger comic book called "One Shot!" You can learn more about it at https://indyplanet.com/lance-star-sky-ranger-1. It is still on sale as well. Paperback: $3.00 and ebook: $1.49. You should grab a copy. The strips for this story also appear in Ãœber-Tales #1. You can find it for only $5.00 in paperback at https://indyplanet.com/uber-tales

I used the cover James had drawn back then in the Chapter 1 graphic. Today, James surprised me with a new, updated cover to use starting with chapter 2 next week. This cover will also grace the print and ebook version of this novella when it goes to print later this year. The original strips will be included in the BEN Books edition too. You can read Lance Star and the Crown of Gengis Kai Chapter 1 for FREE at https://www.patreon.com/posts/39619859

Look for chapter 2 next week.

Check out the new cover. I think you'll like it.

Thanks again, James.

Bobby

#####


LANCE STAR AND THE CROWN OF GENGHIS KAI
A serialized novella

A new serialized adventure begins! Lance Star: Sky Ranger rockets into adventure in a new serialized novella written by award-winning author Bobby Nash for Patreon. You can read the first chapter at www.patreon.com/bobbynash for FREE. Subsequent chapters will be available for patrons only. Patreon tiers begin as low as $1 a month. The $5 and higher tiers enroll you in the ebook of the month club and all patron tiers receive behind the scenes information, sneak peeks at upcoming projects, and an almost daily writing blog. 

About Lance Star and the Crown of Genghis Kai: When an old friend of his calls and asks to meet, Lance Star and his trusted ally, Buck Tellonger head to the mysterious island country of Magnapor. The tiny island nation is not the safest of places to have a meeting, but Lance Star rarely says no to a friend. What mystery awaits them on Magnapor? An all-new Lance Star: Sky Ranger novella begins here.

You can read chapter 1 for FREE here.

Cover art by James Burns.
Published by BEN Books.

#####

LANCE STAR: SKY RANGER "ONE SHOT!"
A Pulp Adventure Comic Book

2011 PULP ARK AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST PULP RELATED COMIC 

LANCE STAR: SKY RANGER "ONE SHOT!" can be purchased in paperback and ebook formats at the following:
Indy Planet (paperback)
Indy Planet (ebook)

LANCE STAR: SKY RANGER "ONE SHOT!"
A Pulp Adventure Comic Book

November, 1941. Ace Air Adventurer Lance Star accepts a dangerous mission into an enemy stronghold to stop the Nazi’s from uncovering plans for a weapon long believed destroyed. Lance flies a solo mission to Kiev where he is to plant explosives and destroy a weapons facility when he runs into an old enemy. Now, Lance is faced with a choice. Complete the mission? Or take down the Sky Ranger’s greatest adversary? 
He’s only going to get one shot at this. Will he choose the mission or revenge?

Featuring high-flying adventure, aerial dog fights, explosive action, and stunning artwork, Lance Star: Sky Ranger "One Shot!" is pure pulp fun from start to finish.

"Lance Star: Sky Ranger "One Shot!" is exactly the sort of high-flying, action-packed air war yarn I really enjoy. It's fine pulpish fun from start to finish. Bobby Nash and James Burns are aces!"
-- James Reasoner

Get your free Lance Star: Sky Ranger "One Shot!" ebook AuthorGraph at 

###

LANCE STAR AND THE CROWN OF GENGHIS KAI--
A 10-part comic strip event originally presented at www.lance-star.com

Written by Bobby Nash
Art/Colors/Letters by James Burns
Lance Star: Sky Ranger © Bobby Nash
Click on image for a larger view.

COVER

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

PART 6

PART 7

PART 8

PART 9

PART 10

Here are some ads that Jazzy James Burns whipped up to promote the strip.



Learn more about Lance Star: Sky Ranger here.

###

No comments: