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Gears of War: Aspho Fields is the first book in the Gears of War novel series. The novel takes place between Gears of War and Gears of War 2, and bridges the gap between the two games. The novel was released on October 28th 2008.[2]

Product Description[]

As kids, the three of them were inseparable; as soldiers, they were torn apart. Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago fought alongside Dom's elder brother, Carlos at Aspho Fields in the epic battle that changed the course of the Pendulum Wars. It is a new war that needs to be fought now; a war for mankind's very survival. But while the last human stronghold on Sera braces itself for another onslaught from the Locust Horde, ghosts came back to haunt Marcus and Dom, as the return of an old comrade threatens to dredge up an agonizing secret Marcus has sworn to keep.

As the beleaguered Gears of the Coalition of Ordered Governments take a last stand to save mankind from extinction, the harrowing decisions made at Aspho Fields have to be relived and made again. Marcus and Dom can take anything the Locust Horde throws at them - but will their friendship survive the truth about Carlos Santiago?

Plot[]

This novel switches between past and present. The part of the plot which takes place in the past is Italicized.

The novel opens one week after the events of Gears of War, 14 Years after Emergence Day. Delta Squad, consisting of Marcus Fenix, Dominic Santiago, Augustus Cole, and Damon Baird, are on routine patrol when they are attacked by Locust forces. During the struggle, Delta Squad is assisted by a phantom sniper, who is revealed to be Bernadette "Bernie" Mataki. Mataki was a member of the assault force during the Battle of Aspho Fields and a survival specialist who trained Dom. Marcus and Carlos Santiago, Dom's older brother, were members of the same force. Dom asks Mataki for her version of the events resulting in the death of his brother, as Marcus has given him little information. However, she is equally reluctant. At the same time, a Locust attack is discovered to be aiming for the city of Jacinto's food supply at North Gate. A contingency plan is organized for the COG to transport the necessary equipment from North Gate to a secure location.

Flashing back 26 years earlier, a 10-year-old Marcus arrives at Olafson Intermediate School. His quiet demeanor and rich background attract the attention of school bullies, but Carlos Santiago is quick to rise to his defense. Marcus becomes fast friends with Carlos and his brother Dom, and spends most of his time with the Santiago family, becoming an 'honorary Santiago'. The Santiago family is in sharp contrast to Marcus's own, with Adam and Elain Fenix putting their work before their family. During this time, Marcus's mother disappears, further dividing Marcus and his father. Four years before E-Day, Marcus enlists in the COG army, following Carlos's path despite Adam Fenix's opposition. Dom, at 16, is expecting a child with girlfriend and future wife Maria. He also enlists, becoming a special forces commando. A year later, the COG begin planning Operation Leveler, a covert assault on an enemy research facility developing the Hammer of Dawn at Aspho Fields. Dom's squad is selected to infiltrate the base, while the COG Army surround and protect the base from any attempt at attack.

The novel returns to the present-day COG efforts in North Gate. During the down time Dom again asks Mataki for the story about his brother, but she delays in telling him. A Locust attack is soon detected, and Marcus, Dom, Victor Hoffman, Bernadette Mataki and Tai Kaliso are sent to intercept. Hoffman is wounded in the attack, and he and Kaliso are separated from the rest of the squad in another Locust assault.

Returning to the past, the story picks up with the continued planning for the invasion of Aspho Point, with both then-Major Hoffman and Adam Fenix taking part in the plans. It is revealed that the area near the research facility has been reinforced, but the COG continue with the attack. The commando squad, led by Hoffman, infiltrate the base and begin capturing personnel and data. At the same time, the COG land ashore and establish themselves along Aspho Point. The covert mission is compromised when a lone scientist in the research facility manages to evade capture and alert the nearby reinforcements. While the commandos struggle to complete their task, the main army comes under attack.

In the present again, Hoffman and Kaliso are still separated from the rest of Delta Squad. The two begin tracking a squad of grubs, discovering that the Locust intention is to attack the convoy from North Gate. Meanwhile, the convoy is stopped by a damaged vehicle, and Baird is deployed to fix it. Almost immediately Locust converge on their position, and the COG move to engage.

In Aspho Fields, the COG continue to hold off enemy forces, while the commandos complete their mission and then retreat. An air attack on the peninsular destroys the facility, but the commando squad comes under fire as they make their escape via ship. As Ravens attempt to evacuate COG soldiers, Carlos makes a suicidal attack on an enemy armored vehicle that is threatening the retreat. Out at sea, the commandos come under fire, with one ship sinking and half the commandos and civilians drowning. Dom manages to launch his ship out of the water and into a Raven to safety. Marcus commandeers the enemy vehicle, allowing for the evacuation to continue. However, he cannot get to Carlos, who is mortally wounded and pinned down by fire. Rather than letting Marcus try and save him, Carlos detonates his own grenade. The remaining COG forces retreat from Aspho Point.

Appearances[]

By type
Characters Creatures Events Locations
Organizations and titles Vehicles and vessels Weapons and technology Miscellanea

Characters

Creatures

Events

Locations

Organizations and titles

Vehicles and vessels

Weapons and technology

Miscellanea

Further Books[]

The novel is the first of five books.[3] The second book is titled Gears of War: Jacinto's Remnant, the third is titled Gears of War: Anvil Gate, the fourth is titled Gears of War: Coalition's End, and the fifth is titled Gears of War: The Slab.

Behind the scenes[]

  • The cover of the book is an homage to the cover of Gears 1.
  • The audio book was released on May 5, 2009, and was narrated by David Colacci.[4]

References[]

Gears of War series
Main Games: Gears of War () • Gears of War 2 () • Gears of War 3 () • Gears of War 4 () • Gears 5 () • Gears of War: E-Day
Other Games: RAAM's ShadowGears of War: Judgment () • Gears of War: Ultimate EditionGears Pop!Gears TacticsGears: Hivebusters
Books: Aspho FieldsJacinto's RemnantAnvil GateCoalition's EndThe SlabKilo Squad: The Survivor's LogAscendanceBloodlinesEphyra Rising
Comics: HollowBarrenA Pendulum Wars StoryDirty Little SecretsThe Rise of RAAMHivebustersStand-Alone Issues
Booklets and Guides: Destroyed BeautyBeneath the SurfaceThe Art of Gears of WarThe Art of Gears of War 3The Poster CollectionThe Art of Gears of War 4RetrospectiveThe Art of Gears 5Gears Tactics: The Art of the Game
Films and TV: Gears of War (film)Gears of War (TV Series)
Canceled Games: Gears of War: ExileGears of War: Tactics
Other Media: Gears of War: The Board Game
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