A Pale Light in the Black

Maxine Carmichael joins the Near-Earth Orbital Guard hoping to establish a life beyond her powerful family's influence. Her new team on Zuma's Ghost is already unsettled by the departure of a valued colleague, and an approaching service competition adds pressure to prove she belongs. Training together would be challenge enough without the dangers of their regular duties. A seemingly routine search for a missing ship turns threatening, revealing that someone is prepared to kill to protect a secret. Max must earn the crew's trust while they work out who is targeting them. Their ability to function as a team matters both in the games they want to win and the missions they need to survive.