In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern. On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is. But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

A Tahlia Vedra NovelTahlia Vedra must face and try to repel the ambitious Helsmiths of Hashut, who threaten to overwhelm Hammerhal Ghyra with their inexorable armies.READ IT BECAUSEEvan Dicken, author of Lioness of the Parch, brings Tahlia Vedra to life again and sets her against a new threat that will challenge her in ways she's never experienced. Can Tahlia overcome threats both within and without, and will the fires burning inside her be enough to unite her people and save Hammerhal?THE STORYWhen a marshal and his army are slaughtered without warning, First Marshal Tahlia Vedra is Hammerhal Ghyra’s only hope. Tahlia must leave her beloved Aqshy behind to face the ruthless Helsmiths of Hashut, Chaos duardin who raze everything in their path. Defeating them will take more than her lauded strength and tenacity alone.Now, Tahlia is a stranger in her own city. The first marshal no longer knows who she can trust among reluctant allies and jealous rivals. As old enemies seek to undermine her from within, the Helsmiths reveal a power more terrible than ever imagined. Facing utter destruction, Tahlia must fight like never before.Written by Evan Dicken.