Damaged Cargo — Sandra Sookoo

When survival is of the utmost importance, it's best to shoot first and ask questions later, especially if you won't like the answers. The 22nd century is heinous and finding a comfortable life in the Levinese Galaxy grows increasingly difficult. Emma Gardine, one of a handful of female pirate captains in this throwback Victorian society, begs, borrows, steals and cheats her way through the planetary system on the hunt of a profit. An expert of guarding her heart and keeping people out, she never shows remorse and uses people until she gets what she wants, but the hope for a normal life glimmers just beyond her reach. Then she meets Tarik Vartouth and her world splinters with new emotions and possibilities. Tarik survived the murder of his sisters and the collapse of his laid-back existence. He's sick of the mandatory breeding programs for genetic supremacy on Nazulara that send innocent people to death and is looking to campaign for democracy for his species. When the opportunity to befriend Emma is presented, he takes it and makes a play for her ship in order to carry out his own plot for revenge against his father-the Premier and ruler of the planet. Stakes are raised when sparks between him and Emma fly. Now their future, as well as the planet's, hangs in the balance. These two independent and strong-willed people must learn how set aside their own issues in order to work together for survival and the greater good-unless they kill each other first.