Soldier of Empire — Sally Ann Melia

In the aftermath of a brutal space attack, Guy Erma, the king's young bodyguard, survives when all hope is lost. But his close friend and the heir to the throne, Teodor of Earth, is missing, presumed dead. As Guy embarks on daring missions to rescue survivors, the clock is ticking. His last-ditch effort takes him deep into the heart of Scavengii pirate territory on the shattered moon of Sas Darona. Meanwhile, Teodor's power passes to his cousin adding another layer of complexity as this ruthless parvenu seeks to secure his newfound power in part by blaming Guy for the king's disappearance. Will Teodor's fate reveal the truth behind this twisted empire, or will darkness prevail? Soldier of Empire is a high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled sci-fi adventure about friendship, survival, and the courage to defy the odds.