
I, Sergeant
An Artificial Intelligence Techno Thriller Sci-Fi Short Story
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $3.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Aaron Shedlock
-
By:
-
Nick Thacker
About this listen
The next in Nick Thacker's growing collection of sci-fi action/adventure thrillers....
My name is Renfro. Sergeant Renfro, or just Sergeant.
Yes, Sergeant is my first name, and it happens to be my rank as well. I was born into - and because of - this war...but that's another story. My particular interest in the military hovered near zero for most of my life, but like everyone else in my generation, we were drafted into service.
There was never a time during the war that I didn't want to stay alive, either, so I fought. At first, I fought selfishly for my own life, and then for my squad and platoon, and finally for the individuals I served with. It was a circuitous route, and probably just a little self-centered, but it led me here.
Fans of Isaac Asimov and H.G. Wells will love Sergeant!
©2015 Nick Thacker (P)2015 Nick Thacker and Kevin TumlinsonListeners also enjoyed...
-
Fear the Sky
- The Fear Saga, Book 1
- By: Stephen Moss
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the Audie-nominated narrator of The Martian. In eleven years' time, a million members of an alien race will arrive at Earth. Years before they enter orbit, their approach will be announced by the flare of a thousand flames in the sky, their ships' huge engines burning hard to slow them from the vast speeds needed to cross interstellar space. These foreboding lights will shine in our night sky like new stars, getting ever brighter until they outshine even the sun, casting ominous shadows and banishing the night until they suddenly blink out.
-
-
Audible Where Are The Rest?!
- By ByEqualMeasure - julie on 09-14-15
By: Stephen Moss
-
Freedom's Fire Box Set, Books 1-6
- The Complete Military Space Opera Series
- By: Bobby Adair
- Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
- Length: 38 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The best-selling, epic space adventure, Freedom's Fire: the complete series of six audiobooks, in one bundle.
-
-
Not Recommend.
- By William on 09-30-19
By: Bobby Adair
-
Swarm
- Star Force, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kyle Riggs is snatched by an alien spacecraft sometime after midnight. The ship is testing everyone it catches and murdering the weak. The good news is that Kyle keeps passing tests and staying alive. The bad news is the aliens who sent this ship are the nicest ones out there.
-
-
Finally some ORIGINAL scifi action.
- By Amazon Customer on 10-25-11
By: B. V. Larson
-
Starship Liberator
- Galactic Liberation, Book 1
- By: David VanDyke, B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Hundred Worlds have withstood invasion by the relentless Hok for decades. The human worlds are strong, but the Hok have the resources of a thousand planets behind them, and their fleets attack in endless waves. The long war has transformed the Hundred Worlds into heavily fortified star systems. Their economies are geared for military output, and they raise specialized soldiers to save our species. Assault Captain Derek Straker is one such man among many.
-
-
Super author team fails
- By Jesper on 05-03-17
By: David VanDyke, and others
-
Tarnished Knight
- The Lost Stars, Book 1
- By: Jack Campbell
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The authority of the Syndicate Worlds’ government is crumbling. Civil war and rebellion are breaking out in many star systems, despite the Syndic government’s brutal attempts to suppress disorder. Midway is one of those star systems, and leaders there must decide whether to remain loyal to the old order or fight for something new.
-
-
Enjoy OBSTLT (or Be Subject to Life Termination)
- By Aser Tolentino on 10-03-12
By: Jack Campbell
-
A Hymn Before Battle
- Legacy of the Aldenata
- By: John Ringo
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With Earth in the path of the rapacious Posleen, the Galactic Federation offers help to the backward humans - for a price. You can protect yourself from your enemies, but God save you from your allies!
-
-
Another heads up!
- By Dr. Daniel Chapman on 06-12-14
By: John Ringo
-
Fear the Sky
- The Fear Saga, Book 1
- By: Stephen Moss
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the Audie-nominated narrator of The Martian. In eleven years' time, a million members of an alien race will arrive at Earth. Years before they enter orbit, their approach will be announced by the flare of a thousand flames in the sky, their ships' huge engines burning hard to slow them from the vast speeds needed to cross interstellar space. These foreboding lights will shine in our night sky like new stars, getting ever brighter until they outshine even the sun, casting ominous shadows and banishing the night until they suddenly blink out.
-
-
Audible Where Are The Rest?!
- By ByEqualMeasure - julie on 09-14-15
By: Stephen Moss
-
Freedom's Fire Box Set, Books 1-6
- The Complete Military Space Opera Series
- By: Bobby Adair
- Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
- Length: 38 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The best-selling, epic space adventure, Freedom's Fire: the complete series of six audiobooks, in one bundle.
-
-
Not Recommend.
- By William on 09-30-19
By: Bobby Adair
-
Swarm
- Star Force, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kyle Riggs is snatched by an alien spacecraft sometime after midnight. The ship is testing everyone it catches and murdering the weak. The good news is that Kyle keeps passing tests and staying alive. The bad news is the aliens who sent this ship are the nicest ones out there.
-
-
Finally some ORIGINAL scifi action.
- By Amazon Customer on 10-25-11
By: B. V. Larson
-
Starship Liberator
- Galactic Liberation, Book 1
- By: David VanDyke, B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Hundred Worlds have withstood invasion by the relentless Hok for decades. The human worlds are strong, but the Hok have the resources of a thousand planets behind them, and their fleets attack in endless waves. The long war has transformed the Hundred Worlds into heavily fortified star systems. Their economies are geared for military output, and they raise specialized soldiers to save our species. Assault Captain Derek Straker is one such man among many.
-
-
Super author team fails
- By Jesper on 05-03-17
By: David VanDyke, and others
-
Tarnished Knight
- The Lost Stars, Book 1
- By: Jack Campbell
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The authority of the Syndicate Worlds’ government is crumbling. Civil war and rebellion are breaking out in many star systems, despite the Syndic government’s brutal attempts to suppress disorder. Midway is one of those star systems, and leaders there must decide whether to remain loyal to the old order or fight for something new.
-
-
Enjoy OBSTLT (or Be Subject to Life Termination)
- By Aser Tolentino on 10-03-12
By: Jack Campbell
-
A Hymn Before Battle
- Legacy of the Aldenata
- By: John Ringo
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With Earth in the path of the rapacious Posleen, the Galactic Federation offers help to the backward humans - for a price. You can protect yourself from your enemies, but God save you from your allies!
-
-
Another heads up!
- By Dr. Daniel Chapman on 06-12-14
By: John Ringo
-
Opening Moves
- The Gam3, Book 1
- By: Cosimo Yap
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Earth is changing. The alien invasion brought social upheaval, advanced technology, and an armada of peacekeeping robots. But Alan, a college student pursuing a now-useless degree, cares little about all of this. He has only one thing on his mind: the Game. A fully immersive virtual reality, the Game appears to be a major part of the invading civilization. Alan can't wait to play, recklessly diving into the digital universe. Soon though, Alan realizes the Game is anything but simple, and the stakes are higher than he ever imagined.
-
-
LitRPG with a real story
- By White Rabbit on 01-29-19
By: Cosimo Yap
-
The Empire's Corps
- The Empire's Corps, Book 1
- By: Christopher G. Nuttall
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
- Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Galactic Empire is dying and chaos and anarchy are breaking out everywhere. After a disastrous mission against terrorists on Earth itself, Captain Edward Stalker of the Terran Marine Corps makes the mistake of speaking truth to power, telling one of the most powerful men in the Empire a few home truths. As a result, Captain Stalker and his men are unceremoniously exiled to Avalon, a world right on the Rim of the Empire. It should have been an easy posting...
-
-
Not Ark Royal
- By AGreviewer on 12-23-15
-
Duel in the Dark
- Blood on the Stars, Book 1
- By: Jay Allan
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Confederation has fought three wars against the forces of the totalitarian Union. Three generations of its warriors have gone off to war, held the line against the larger, more powerful enemy. Now the fourth conflict is imminent, and the Confederation's navy is on alert, positioned behind the frontier, waiting for the attack it knows is coming.
-
-
backwards thinking
- By Amazon Customer on 06-05-17
By: Jay Allan
-
Sea of Rust
- A Novel
- By: C. Robert Cargill
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
- Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's been 30 years since the apocalypse and 15 years since the murder of the last human being at the hands of robots. Humankind is extinct. Every man, woman, and child has been liquidated by a global uprising devised by the very machines humans designed and built to serve them. Most of the world is controlled by an OWI - One World Intelligence, the shared consciousness of millions of robots uploaded into one huge mainframe brain.
-
-
This Book has Magic
- By Kurt Schwoppe on 06-15-18
-
Seeker
- By: Douglas E. Richards
- Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau
- Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a small alien spacecraft lands in the Amazon jungle, the world's most powerful nations race to retrieve it and harvest its superior technology. The dense rain forest renders traditional military vehicles useless, so the United States sends in a single operative - a powerfully enhanced human sporting revolutionary technology. But the interstellar visitor has arrived with a secret and gory purpose of its own. Seeker will have listeners running for cover.
-
-
Miserable
- By Jeffrey Steidley on 11-22-18
-
Gauntlet Wars
- By: Aer-ki Jyr
- Narrated by: Stephen Day
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Earth has long ago expanded into space, found, fought, and befriended aliens, and expanded across the galaxy to dominate most of it, but one of the semi-immortal warlords who founded it is about to have a revelation as the "Endgame" that has been whispered between various advanced civilizations lands squarely on his shoulders. The Empire knew this was coming, but they had no idea the scope of it. Lightside civilizations are always hounded and attacked by those who revel in evil, but when the Endgame starts, it's a beatdown like no other coming from outside the galaxy.
-
-
Ummm?
- By Anonymous User on 02-21-23
By: Aer-ki Jyr
-
Bolt Eaters
- By: Isaac Hooke
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 18 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eric was happily retired. His consciousness resided inside the body of an advanced android. He had two beautiful female companions, a platoon of war hero friends, and the entire floor of an apartment building to call his own. He had paid his dues, having saved the world during his previous stint in the army, and now he could live out the rest of his life in peace and quiet. As an android, he expected that life to last a very long time. And then the army came knocking at his door again.
-
-
It’s a 10 hour video game script
- By Ron A. Parsons on 01-24-19
By: Isaac Hooke
-
Wired for War
- The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century
- By: P. W. Singer
- Narrated by: William Hughes
- Length: 20 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A military expert reveals how science fiction is fast becoming reality on the battlefield, changing not just how wars are fought, but also the politics, economics, laws, and ethics that surround war itself. Singer’s previous books foretold the rise of private military contractors and the advent of child soldiers - predictions that have proved all too accurate. Now he explores the greatest revolution in military affairs since the atom bomb: robotic warfare. We are now seeing a massive shift in military technology....
-
-
Good book of fact sprinkled with left-wing opinion
- By Jeffrey on 04-13-13
By: P. W. Singer
-
Into the Darkness
- Crimson Worlds Refugees, Book 1
- By: Jay Allan
- Narrated by: Jay Snyder
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Terrence Compton is one of Earth's greatest admirals, a warrior almost without equal. Alongside his oldest friend and brilliant colleague, Augustus Garret, he and his forces saved Earth from invasion by the robotic legions of the First Imperium's insane computer Regent. There is just one problem. The First Imperium was held back by the disruption of the sole warp gate connecting the two domains...and Compton and 300 of his ships are trapped on the wrong side, surrounded by the Regent's vast fleets and cut off from Earth.
-
-
Good story, but ...
- By A. Gordon on 02-21-16
By: Jay Allan
-
Starship Eternal
- War Eternal, Book 1
- By: M. R. Forbes
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain Mitchell "Ares" Williams is a space marine and the hero of the Battle for Liberty whose shot heard 'round the universe saved the planet from a nearly unstoppable war machine. He's handsome, charismatic, and the perfect poster boy to help the military drive enlistment. Pulled from the war and thrown into the spotlight, he's as efficient at charming the media and bedding beautiful celebrities as he was at shooting down enemy starfighters.
-
-
Amazing Start for a New Series. Great Sci-fi.
- By Striker on 04-27-15
By: M. R. Forbes
-
Trinity Unleashed
- Wizard Scout Trinity Delgado, Book 1
- By: Rodney Hartman
- Narrated by: Mare Trevathan
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With only a fresh out of the university grad student and a half-crazy old pilot as allies, Trinity has to find the source of Cavos's troubles before the Empire becomes part of a disaster far greater than a mere local civil war. Caught between the peacekeepers' resentful commander and suspicious local government officials, Trinity and her battle computer, Jennifer, have their work cut out for them. Together they must weave their way through one mystery after another, leaving a trail of bloody bodies along the way until they find the answer.
-
-
Nothing new
- By Elaine72 on 11-17-17
By: Rodney Hartman
-
Blackhawk
- Far Stars Legends Series, Book 1
- By: Jay Allan
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Blackhawk: a wanderer, a man running from a dark and sinister past. A genetically-engineered warrior, a capable and accomplished killer, he is also a lost soul, a man who has fled to the deepest reaches of space seeking his true identity. The Far Stars: the farthest extent of human habitation in the galaxy, a sector of a hundred inhabited worlds, it is a dangerous expanse full of pirates, mercenaries, and cutthroats.
-
-
One of the BEST Space Operas!
- By Emma Aumack on 04-07-17
By: Jay Allan
What listeners say about I, Sergeant
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ShannonVM
- 11-17-22
A bit emotional, wish it was longer!
Story 3.5*
Aaron Shedlock tweeted about this book the other day, on the seventh anniversary of uploading it- it was the first book he narrated! As he's one of my favorites I had to grab it, without even knowing what it was about.
The narration was excellent of course! Mr, Shedlock is such an fantastic narrator, I enjoy listening to him so much, So I always think any book he performs is too short, and that was definitely the case here. I don't have an issue with the story at all- as short and as quick of a listen it was, I really got invested! I want to know more about Sergeant and the world.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tammy B
- 11-21-22
Intriguing story! 💜
Although this was written as a short story, it could have easily been a full length novel. So many possibilities where technology and humanity are at war with each other.
The narration was very good. I’m a huge fan of Aaron Shedlock’s romance audiobooks, but its easy to see that he has the voice acting talent to narrate any genre.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mike M.
- 06-27-16
Short but doesn't sacrifice the message
I, Sergeant is a good example of classic science fiction, a kind of terminator-esque story that levels the playing field. At first, through the narrators use of phrasing, detailing a scene is speculative, and imagining characters is more of a job for the reader as the author pushes the envelop and keeps you waiting for reveals. There isn't much to say without spoiling the story, but I like Renfro's internal monologue especially at the end. In the end, I chose to interpret this story as being told as neither one species or another, but simply through the eyes of a soldier.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Teresa
- 05-26-16
Extremely Good for a Short Story
"I, Sergeant" was an awesome listen. For it being short, it was definitely intense. I would love to hear a continuation of this. Sergeant Renfro I think is an AI fighting in a war he was born into. The AI he's with gets hit and he pulls him out. What's great is the thought process going on with Renfro. If this story were to continue, this would be a perfect intro into a backstory of him. Another great book by Nick Thacker.
The narration by Aaron Shedlock was excellent. His voice was perfect for Renfro and for his partner as well. He has very well-defined vocal skills. I can't wait to hear more from both him and the author.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brian Taylor
- 04-16-20
Not Bad, Not Great.
It is a good start. I'd probably have given it 4 stars across the board if it was 1-2 hours long. Thus giving more time to explain the background and the character development.
Author, I hope you make this into a real 8+ hour aidiobook.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Christopher Ross
- 02-17-20
Great Short story.
For a 30 odd minute story it left me wanting to know more. If this was a 'movie trailer' for a book series it did its job. There was sufficient background worldbuild to promise more in a series. However, this short story is complete by itself. It was a pleasurable listen.
Narrator was great as well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gerald Reynolds
- 02-24-20
what happens when limited AI gains sentience? war
war makes humans make tough choices not to lose. but victory comes at cost. what happens when your hammer decides you are a nail? good short story from character on ground floor
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Aurora Dawn
- 04-01-20
Soldiers Come in Different Kinds
Caught on the battle field in what might be his last battle, a soldier protects a fellow combatant and recalls his years in battle. Well written and thought-provoking futuristic SF story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!