More authors. More stories. The same bestselling universe.It's the Twenty-Second Century. Humanity has taken its first steps into the galaxy, and we've found ourselves in a vast playground of alien races, environments, and cultures. As the newest players on the universal stage, though, our position is readily apparent—we're at the bottom of the food chain.Welcome back to the Four Horsemen universe, where only a willingness to fight and die for money separat...

War has come to the worlds of Humans. The rich planet of Tau-Rietzke, however, is far from Earth and the Mercenary Guild's invasion, and its alien-registered mercenary companies are a safe haven for humans on the run. Organizations like the Midnight Sun Free Company.Having just completed another successful mission and taken possession of two Raknars, it was party time for Saisho Branco and the personnel of the Midnight Sun, and they were enjoying a little down time…until the war sp...

From the outside, The Lyon's Den doesn't look like much; there isn't even a sign. But Mercs of all species know that if you head to southwest Houston, near the Starport, there's a particular run-down strip mall that looks like it's been abandoned for years. The glass door second from the south end of the strip is plastered over on the inside with blue paper, and the faint golden outline of a rampant lion is the only clue.The door is locked, of course, and beyond the door is nothing...

This is the collection of 10 stories with an Australian theme. The topics are diverse as is the author's voice. The works combine grief, humour, pathos and satire and at times, the story line is uniquely Australian. At other times, the themes are universal.

Thirty-five awesome stories - one kick ass meme that started it all.It started as a joke. Storm Area 51 they said. They can't stop all of us they said. But all laughter stopped when the U.S. Air Force mobilized the reserves and pulled out the big guns.However, relentless mockery and derision by the media and the powers that be pushed the weebs and alien enthusiasts too far. What else were they supposed to do? They put on their big girl panties and showed up, determined to fi...

In the aftermath of the Great Galactic War, the Veetanho assumed control of the Mercenary Guild's Inner Council, and with it, power over the guild's affairs. The Goltar were marginalized, and the Veetanho did everything they could to make the galaxy forget the Goltar had ever existed.The Goltar went quietly, pretending to sulk and accept their fate…but they never did. They worked in the shadows, amassing power and resources, always looking for the right time—and right opportunity—w...

Don't go gently into that Endless Night…Having destroyed the starkiller located at Aneb-4, the alliance of Goltar, Spine Patriots, and the Midnight Sun Free Company have gained a bit of breathing space from the criminal organization known as the Endless Night.But the Endless Night isn't done. They have two more starkillers in their possession, and they are ready to use them against a civilization that no one—especially the Mercenary Guild—is going to miss. ...

It's a moment of truth for Jeff, a South Australian parliamentarian about to spearhead a new anti-terrorism law that will mean the end of civil liberties. 'Nothing to hide, nothing to fear' is the catch cry. This short story is a brief moment in Jeff's life that brings about a significant change in emphasis. He meets Anton while awaiting the choral competition in which both their daughters will perform. It's Anton, who has recently undergone chemotherapy, that helps Jeff see that it's smal...

How strange and peaceful this death business is. And yet, in our culture, there's so much fuss.

My family aren't gender benders or anything but when the expected baby boy turns out to be a girl, well, it's the baby sister that has to change his future!

Hacking networks helps Leah form a lucrative partnership until she takes on the the wrong victim.

It's always darkest before the light…Defeated in battle, the fractious alliance of Goltar, Spine Patriots, and the Midnight Sun Free Company are chased across the Spine Nebula by the Endless Night and their sea monster allies, the Tyzhounes.Abandoning the nebula is not an option. For the free trader skipper, Lenworth Jenkins, the people of its fifteen tormented worlds are the cause he's been searching for all his life.The Midnight sisters, Sun and B...