As the opening suggests, I admire that Dewes thought through the logistics issues the Sentinels would have. It adds depth to the world building while increasing the tension of the plot. Society itself depends on logistics despite the fact that we take it for granted. When a person can run down the street to pick up whatever food they want, they don’t give much thought about how that product got to the store. If the food is missing, then we wonder why we can’t get something. The military understands logistics is the backbone of a strong force. If a country can’t get bullets, food, or fuel to the front lines of the fight, then that front line will run out of eventually and be overrun. Or they can fall back until the supply lines can reconnect. Granted, logistics isn’t quite as attractive as world threatening weapons, diseases, or alien invasions. But, as J.S. Dewes demonstrates, it can add to the tension of a story. Starvation is an underlying threat to the reader that spurs our heroes to act, but for the crew and characters, starvation is the main threat. And it’s a big one.

Part of the logistics problems is that the Sentinels are stationed on centuries old ships. Machines break and need to be repaired. Repairs need parts. Sometimes those parts can be made aboard the ship and sometimes they can’t. If the material stock that those parts are made from is depleted, then, again, there’s a supply problem. And ships age. Machines age. We all know this, but it rarely registers in Sci Fi. As miles get put on the car, the wear and tear of use ages the car. Eventually, most people buy a new car instead of repair, replace, or modify the aging vehicle to keep it going. The same thing happens with aircraft, and eventually the same thing will happen with spacecraft. Dewes understands this and uses it to her advantage to create a world that feels lived in. Narratively, it creates sympathy for the characters that they’re a plucky group doing all they can to keep the ole ship a runnin’. But it also mirrors the military experience to a degree. A portion of the military are mechanics and engineers dedicated to ensuring that their vehicles are operational and safe for use. The Sentinels at the Divide live on and maintain vehicles that have been in service longer than they or their parents have lived. Much like old cars, old spaceships need a lot of care. Dewes uses this backdrop to propel the tension in her story, and it’s well done.