As Wolves Fade

As Wolves Fade is a 2020 political science fiction novel written by J. B. Weissfeld. It is the first novel of Vesperan Archives series and the first in the Ascendancy trilogy. As Wolves Fade details the inner workings of the Vesperan government and military.

Synopsis
The notorious town of Nora on the FRINGE border has been guarded by PHANOS against djor raids for a long time. An alarm from PHANOS warns Praetorium and the Northeastern Protectorate to act against what seems to be a tampering attempt. To protect its citizens, Praetorium provisions the renowned military expedition officer Captain Abel Brandtson and his Ironfang Centuria who are stationed the closest to Nora as reinforcements while help tries to get there. After six days under harsh winter conditions at Atmos Control Point north of Nora, the chapter does not get the needed help from the engineering team as they could not even make it to Nora. PHANOS shuts down completely and the contube starts losing communications. Their resources also start running low. At this time, a djor raiding party supported by FRINGE insurgents attack the control point, completely overpowering the centuria except for one survivor; Sergeant Tina Bramoor. She walks her way back to Nora, where she's nursed back to health.

Lorne is a tinkerer and a household items repairman who still lives with his mother, Aram who is of Oorish origin. Lorne's biggest dream is to design a new

Shocked by what happened, Praetorium issues nationwide emergency and starts shutting down the town borders. Nighthowl Chapter led by Colonel Tomas Rasmussen rushes to the demolished control zone, finding out that Nora has also been ransacked by the djor. Few survivors point out that the djor and Freyans have also taken prisoners. Rasmussen reports back to Praetorium and proposes an expedition in order to rescue the Vesperan prisoners.

Praetorium Commander Jacob Leonhardtsohn comes under heavy fire from the government and people as he starts wrestling with too many problems at once. Led by Commander, Ordo Imperatori Vesperum convene and decide that an expedition should take place and station around Nora until PHANUS can be repaired while the popular opinion demands that Praetorium should take the war to the djor. Knowing that this will mean having to cross FRINGE borders with armed forces and confront Freyan insurgents, OIV advises against it but the government states that “the people have spoken.”

Encouraged by the people’s opinion, Colonel Rasmussen publicly states that Expedition Atmos is inevitable and he will be "honored to wipe the djor scum off Vespera." Commander finally gives in to the pressure for two reasons; his and Praetorium’s credibility and their sense of providing safety to the people.

Expedition Atmos kicks off with Colonel Rasmussen leading his chapter to Atmos. The plan is to set up camp at Atmos Control Point, reinforce and secure Nora and go beyond FRINGE borders to take the fight to the djor, and bring the prisoners home. With Atmos secured and Nora reinforced, PHANUS can be reactivated and the town can be fortified against possible djor raids.

Lt. Geroy Predka from Nighthowl Chapter