GALACTIC ENCOUNTERS: DANGEROUS FRONTIERS - THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL ON DISANT WORLDS

Intercontinental Book Productions, hardback, 1980. Cover painting by Bob Layzell.

"The ships of the Galactic Federation's Survey and Preliminary Study Service ceaselessly range among the alien stars and unexplored planets which lie beyond the distant Perimeter. Contact with the bustling, central worlds of the Federation is difficult and infrequent as they face the dangers of the vast unknown. 

But the prosperity and growth of this great association of worlds would be impossible without new sources of supply and new avenues for expansion. Scarcely more than one in every hundred planets explored proves to be of sufficient interest to justify the implementation of a settlement programme. 

All the planets described in Dangerous Frontiers have won a place in the Federation at great cost in lives and efforts, and their existence owes much to the courage and determination of the creatures who first struggled for a foot-hold in their lonely and alien landscapes. 

Dangerous Frontiers is a study of those worlds as they are today. Some are vital to the network of trade, others have faded in importance and a few are only just emerging from obscurity. Whatever their current status in the Federation, it is to those who struggled alone in the emptiness beyond the frontiers that the honour belongs."

Painting by Angus McKie.

"One of the first sights to meet the eyes of a visitor to Monk's Field, are the impressive orbital terminals built in the mid twenty-second century."

Painting by Colin Hay.

"One of the scores of gigantic ore extraction plants constructed on Alpha Indi II to process the sea water. This plant is still operational."

Painting by Angus McKie.

"A view of Nihalan and its nearby lunar companion, Phox, showing one of the areas of intense volcanic activity which are scattered over the planet."

Painting by Chris Moore.

"The Beta Phoenicis system provides a base for the largest single industrial centre in the Federation. Transport between the twenty-seven planets and countless asteroids orbiting the sun is assisted by the vast transit stations where passengers can embark for any destination in known space."

Painting by Peter Elson.

"Passenger liners such as this Starfleet Major now ferry in pleasure seekers from all over the Federation to sample the delights of Ethsymon."

Painting by Cesare Reggiani.

"Until quite recently, the dolmens of 15 Lyncis Bee marked the sites of zyrillium treasure troves."

Painting by Roy Virgo.

"The research team's surface skimmers proved invaluable in their surveys of Eptel III."

GALACTIC ENCOUNTERS: STAR QUEST - AN INCREDIBLE VOYAGE INTO THE UNKNOWN

Intercontinental Books, hardback, 1979. Cover painting by Robin Hiddon.

"Early in the 23rd Century, a Federal patrol ship on a routine mission to one of the colonized worlds far out on the Galactic Perimeter, encountered a strange craft from far beyond the boundaries of the Galactic Federation. The implications of there being an unknown species with a technology apparently more advanced than our own, and existing within striking distance of the Federation, led to one of the most remarkable voyages in the history of space travel. 

Star Quest is the account of the epic voyage of a single ship and its highly trained crew, as they embarked on a journey towards the very heart of the Galaxy. Drawn from their own records, this book tells the story of their extraordinary adventures during their solitary and often dangerous passage among strange and distant worlds. 

Many of the situations with which they were faced tested their ingenuity and courage to the limit until an encounter which was to have far-reaching consequences for the entire Galactic Federation, marked the end of their historic quest."

Galactic Encounters aka artist's portfolios re-purposed (mostly from the Young Artists agency) published after the original series of Terran Trade Authority handbooks and written by Steven Caldwell (a pseudonym of TTA author Stuart Cowley). This particular book also features artwork by Jim Burns, Bob Fowkes, Colin Hay, David Jackson, Bob Layzell, Chris Moore and Tony Roberts.

Painting by Peter Elson.

"The alien ship from Arko. From beyond the edge of known space came this strange visitor to the Galactic Federation. Where it was from and what would happen now that it knew we existed were questions that could no longer remain unanswered."

Painting by Fred Gambino.

"The legendary Commander Mo Mikiss, one of the most experienced and respected operational officers in the Security Service was the natural choice of the unique team."

Painting by Peter Elson.

"The Venturer, distinctive in its scarlet and black livery, moves out under military escort before entering hyperspace for the first leg of its journey into the unknown."

Painting by Cesare Reggiani.

"The three man team from the Venturer streaked downwards to make the first contact with the medieval inhabitants of Adara III."

Painting by Peter Elson.

"Nibor Max's innocent excursion onto the surface of the unnamed planet almost ended in disaster as a band of warlike inhabitants bore down upon him."

Painting by Peter Elson.

"A Phalan armoured jetcraft streaked up from the surface of the war-torn planet and docked with the ship carrying the captive Federation crew. Their guides for the next stage in their journey had arrived."

Painting by Fred Gambino.

"While two of his crew fled from the devastated landing apron, Mor Mikiss struggled to retain control of the captured Phalan Interceptor in the desperate escape from their captors."

Painting by Peter Elson.

"The last survivors of a society overwhelmed by the Phalan onslaught provided the means of escape for the crew of the Venturer. The tiny shuttle which picked up the two crew members left on the shattered planet led them to safety and offered them the means of returning to the Federation itself."