Black Eye Galaxy Arbitrators

By: CR Daems

Narrated by: Raquel Beattie

The Black Eye Galaxy is composed of over one billion stars and an unknown number of planets inhabited with intelligent life. Presently, there are over 100 with Faster Than Light capability.

Many centuries ago, 50 FTL-capable systems agreed to form the Black Eye Galaxy Alliance to establish a peaceful, war-free galaxy. They passed the responsibility to enforce the BGA directives to the Black Eye of God Church.

Holy Mother Martina was the first to create so-called Arbitration schools to support a fleet capable of enforcing the BGA's directives. During her tenure, she evolved special training to create unique individuals who could learn to detect truth from lies. The few who qualified became the Arbitrators–the people responsible for ]investigating BGA problems and providing binding solutions.

Since that time, the BGA has more than doubled in size, along with a growing dissatisfaction with the rule against interplanetary wars since it inhibits the creation of empires. Recently, those rulers wanting to create their own empires have concluded that killing Arbitrators, who currently number three and take years to replace, is the solution.

©2023 C. R. Daems (P)2023 C. R. Daems

A Response-Arbitrator or Dictator?

An earlier review poses questions about this story's main character. I respectfully have a different opinion.

I believe Mr. Daems attempts to cut through the typical simplification and glorification of conflict. It asks us to reconsider that old Star Trek question, do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one?

This story presents a messy, real world situation with tough consequences no matter the decision. It presents this while at the same time telling us a very interesting tale about a young, very talented female who, due to her special skills and insight is thrust into and asked to deal with more and more complex problems. Her self confidence and her humility makes a striking combination of traits for a main character.

I highly recommend this book and eagerly await where the author takes us with book two in the series.

I loved it!

This was classic CR Daems. It reminded me of Red Angel. It had similar feel although a different story. Raquel Beattie's narration was great. My first time listening to her. She did good. I enjoyed it. I hope he writes more and keeps hiring Raquel.

Arbitrator of Dictator?

This book is standard C.R Daems fair for the most part. The main character straddles the line between hero and villain rather more then ever before, especially at the beginning of the book. Constantly setting lines she doesn’t tell people about and the penalty for setting even a hair over the line is immediate death. The main issue in the book is the fact that cheppy decides everything for everyone which give the supporting cast no room to thrive. This make the praise most CR Daems support cast heap on the protagonist more the yes man response you’d find in a dictatorship then the admiration of peers. Though I am unsure if it was intentional it’s at least an interesting dichotomy.