Rise of the Kobani — Stephen W. Bennett

The Kobani capture Krall ships and use them to return to Human Space. They seek expert training for their genetically enhanced young fighters, modern weapons, and new medical technology. There is a potential roadblock to such help, in the form of death penalty laws of the Planetary Union, prohibiting gene modifications of humans. These laws are a holdover from the Gene War, which nearly extinguished humanity. A perilous descent through a war torn planet's space defenses is the first step, while flying an enemy ship. After landing, a nearby Krall ship and its crew must be fought, as a watching hidden and suspicious Special Ops unit tries to decide if the Kobani should be trusted, or killed as collaborators. The Kobani, caught between a rock and a hard place, do what they were bred to do best. FIGHT! Exploration at home reveals startling alien neighbors, and a habitable world next door. A remarkable genetic discovery found there will forever alter the Kobani. Having found allies, Captain Mirikami forges a bold and dangerous plan, to strike deep into the heart of Krall territory. A place the enemy is confident that puny humans can't reach, let alone attack. Simultaneous coordinated Kobani raids seriously damage Krall war manufacturing, freeing many slave workers, and buying time for humanity. However, the Krall possess a terrible ancient weapon that none expected. Retaliatory escalation of the war has been triggered, and if it doesn't go as the Krall want, entire planets and their populations will be shattered.