Matagam Pagwa Series

Defender Down

Defender Down is the first book in the Matagam Pagwa Series. It is the story of the crash of the battle cruiser Defender on the planet of Yovex. Yovex is suspected to be the origin and cause of the legend of the feared Ghost Ships. At great risk to their lives, six crew members rode the Defender down to the surface. When they first made contact with the Indigenous species, they were mystified at their physiology.

When the battle cruiser Defender skidded to a stop on the surface of Yovex, Captain Zeff asked, "Everyone alright?" After they answered affirmatively, he unbuckled, stood up and looked around at the disorder which was once the bridge of his battle cruiser. The others got to their feet and joined him surveying the damage as Zeff asked the EXO, "Did everyone get off?"

"As far as I know." Dr. O'Casey replied. "We're the only ones crazy enough to ride this ship down. We should all be dead or committed."

"Right now, committed does not sound that bad.'"

Bleak Realities

Bleak Realities is the second book of the Matagam Pagwa Series. It is the story of the Black Sentry’s duty, betrayal, and sacrifices on the Tweed planet of Vulzar. The Black Sentry receives invaluable help from the local inhabitants: the Elros, the Trirobs, and the Orebs. Elros are a genetically engineered cross between elephants and a rhinoceros. Trirobs are genetically crossed between Weasels and Mongooses. The Orebs are large orange-eyed birds that were genetically crossed from two species of eagles and two species of bats.

When the Resolute Bay entered Vulzar's atmosphere about three thousand feet above the planet, the clamshells containing weapons, ordinance, and supplies were kicked out of the rear hangars. As they began their descent toward the planet, the members of the Black Sentry jumped from their hangers in glide suits feeling the air rushing against their bodies and helmets. Their objective was to scrutinize the dense vegetation as they aimed for their designated drop zones.

Suddenly pieces of red hot jagged debris took its toll and caused severed and torn body parts to plummet to the ground. Their transport ship Resolute Bay had exploded above them.

About the Author

Author Colin F. Carter was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His early years were spent in Toronto. His curiosity took him traveling around the world. He spent time visiting Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, until finally returning home to Canada. Colin settled in the Canadian North and worked for a variety of businesses in both the Yukon Territory and the small town of Atlin in Northwestern British Columbia.

Colin had a passion for writing and shared his stories with many friends in town, always looking for feedback. During one such discussion, a suggestion was tossed out that it would be interesting to find out what happened to Matagam Pagwa, one of Colin’s characters. Colin was off and writing, which led to a series of short novels beginning with Defender Down.

In the winter of 2023, he finished writing the final story in the series and submitted the books to Connie Taylor with Fathom Publishing. Colin was gravely ill and knew he would not be able to finish the final edits nor would he live to see the finished product. He gave all of his writings to his friends, Jerry and Susan Kuelbs, with instructions that when the books were published, proceeds after expenses were to go to Atlin Supportive Living Society.

Colin passed away on May 23, 2023, and he was laid to rest surrounded by the mountains he loved and his community of friends. The following winter, Connie and Susan began preparing the series for publication.

As Brenda Cowan, one of Colin’s friends, wrote “Colin, you our friend, will be sorely missed and not soon forgotten. You were such a character in Our Book of Life.”

Read about Colin in the Atlin Whisperer.