A Forest of Stars
Chapter One
JESS TAMBLYN
Across the Spiral Arm, the gas-giant planets held secrets, dangers, and
treasure. For a century and a half, harvesting vital stardrive fuel from
the cloud worlds had been a lucrative business for the Roamers.
Five years ago, though, that had all changed.
Like vicious guard dogs, the hydrogues had forbidden all skymines from
approaching the gas giants they claimed as their territory. The embargo
had crippled the Roamer economy, the Terran Hanseatic League, and the
Ildiran Empire. Many brave or foolish entrepreneurs had defied the
hydrogues' ultimatum. They had paid with their lives. Dozens of skymines
were destroyed. The deep-core aliens were unstoppable and ruthless.
But when facing desperate situations, Roamers refused to give up.
Instead, they changed tactics, surviving-and thriving-through
innovation.
"The old Speaker always told us that challenges redefine the parameters
of success," Jess Tamblyn said over the open comm, taking his lookout
ship into position above the deceptively peaceful-looking gas giant
Welyr.
"By damn, Jess ... read full excerpt from: A Forest of Stars: The Saga of Seven Suns, Book 2 ebook
