Summa Ghost is a science fiction novel about the Planet Summa which is a technically advanced
world where pre-humans exist as ghosts. These ghosts conduct lives like ours, with families, daily responsibilities,
school, and work. Summa ghosts anticipate future lives on other planets where they will live as physical humans.
Summa ghosts do not die. However, in battle, they inflict terrible pain on each other,
sometimes incapacitating their enemies. Summa ghosts are entities formed of subatomic matter. This allows them
to pass through physical matter such as walls, rocks, and trees.
The story's main character is Apollo, who is first introduced as a boy in school. As he matures, the people of Summa divide along two
ideological lines. One side seeks to force its will on the other, wanting limits on freedom for the betterment of all. Apollo's side resists,
insisting on freedom, agency, and the acceptance of both responsibility and accountability.
The division pulls friends and families apart. Whole communities split. Eventually, all of Summa devolves
into a full-scale civil war. Apollo becomes an active soldier in this war, immersing himself in military operations, protecting the innocent,
and enduring painful battles with enemy ghosts.
Apollo and his lifelong friends, Tamir and Torith, join in the fight for agency and accountability. They become
increasingly powerful warriors, working together as a trusted team, feared by the enemy, and respected by
their military command. The fight is not without hardship, and two ghost wolves save Apollo in his darkest hour. The wolves then
join Apollo in the war for Summa.
The force of Apollo's presence affects ghosts on both sides of the conflict. Apollo fights against a beast of a ghost
named Myke. He and Myke come to respect and help each other. Apollo also battles with a devious and cunning enemy ghost named
Malta who tries repeatedly to force Torith to her side. Despite her vicious nature, Malta is turned to both friend and
enemy via the firm characters of both Apollo and Torith. Malta remains an enemy, but she also becomes a close friend.
Summa Ghost is written by Chris Nelson, who was an FBI Agent for 26 years working white-collar crime, cyber and other
investigations. He has extensive flight time as an FBI pilot. Chris has also
been a financial auditor, a bank security investigator, and a licensed private investigator.
This novel was started in the late 1990's. The first draft was finished in September 2024. After extensive editing, the manuscript
was submitted to the United States Copyright Office on January 13, 2025. The book is currently undergoing additional editing and
review by trusted pre-readers. It is about 157,000 words.
