Scornful Stars Read online

  “That is between me and my family, Nawabzada. But yes, they understand that I will be away for long periods of time and that my sworn duty is to protect you at all costs.”

  It’s not a question of whether I can ask more of the Rezas, Sikander realized. No, the question is how can I say no? “In that case, Sergeant Reza, the honor is mine,” he said. “I’ll inform Colonel Nayyar that you are joining the household guard at my request. Make whatever arrangements you need to make tomorrow, and report to the palace the day after. I’m expected back aboard Decisive by the end of next week.”

  “Very good, sir,” Harman Reza replied, a distinct note of satisfaction in his otherwise expressionless reply. He saluted, then strode away to rejoin his family.

  Sikander watched him go, and sighed. Breaking in a new minder would doubtless bring all sorts of challenges. I hope he can cook better than I can, he told himself, and climbed into the luxury flyer; his father, his mother, and his brother had all waited patiently while he spoke to Harman outside.

  “Is everything okay, Sikander?” his mother asked.

  “I think it will be,” he told her. “Let’s go home.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  When you spend the better part of six months building a manuscript, it can sometimes be hard to see the forest for the trees. A good editor can help you find your way out of the woods; Jen Gunnels provided me with just the right amount of pointing in the right direction to sharpen up a key character or two and make this a much better story.

  I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I would like to say that Larry Rostant knocked me out with amazing covers for my first three Sikander books. It’s a rare pleasure to find that an artist has so perfectly captured the look of your character and your world. Likewise, my diligent copy editor, Terry McGarry, made this a better-looking book by catching dozens of small slips, including some sneaky continuity questions. Thanks, Terry.

  Writing can be a lonely pursuit. It’s easy to get caught up in what you’re working on and forget to go do fun things with other people. Let me take this opportunity to say thanks to some good friends who help me keep at least one foot in the world outside my house. First, I’d like to thank Daniel, David, JD, and Mark for reminding me how much I enjoy racquetball after ten years of hardly playing at all. Next, I’d like to thank the stalwarts of BT6, especially Chris Z., for inviting me to explore some excellent breweries. Finally, I’d like to thank the Thursday night group—Steve, Milton, Jesse, Nathan, Steve W., and Chris—for some great gaming over the years. It’s good to set down the (metaphorical) pen for a few hours a week!

  Tor Books by Richard Baker

  BREAKER OF EMPIRES

  Valiant Dust

  Restless Lightning

  Scornful Stars

  Praise for Valiant Dust

  Kirkus Reviews Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Reads November 2017

  The Verge—Science Fiction and Fantasy Books to Read this November

  “New and extraordinary … Go read this!”

  —David Weber

  “Fans of C. S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower will delight in discovering Baker’s Sikander North.”

  —RT Book Reviews (starred review)

  “Baker’s military background only serves to raise this adventure above the rest.”

  —Kirkus Reviews

  “This new series gets a grand start with fine attention to the details of starship engagements and operations, plus plenty of action as well as depth of character.”

  —Booklist

  “Valiant Dust is an excellent example of military SF at its best.”

  —Michael A. Stackpole, bestselling author of Rogue Squadron

  “Interesting characters, high attention to detail, diverse cast, [and] nuanced politics.”

  —Sci-Fi Fan Letter

  “In the finest tradition of Honor Harrington, Black Jack Geary, and Nicholas Seafort … an exciting new entry that fans of the genre won’t want to miss.”

  —Dayton Ward, bestselling author of 24: Trial by Fire

  “Intelligent space opera with lots of vivid action … sociological novel which examines the problems (on both sides) of a third-world aristocrat in a first-world navy whose hierarchies are equally rigid.”

  —David Drake, author of the Hammer’s Slammers series

  “Intensely satisfying. Bravo! I look forward to more exploits of Sikander North!”

  —Ed Greenwood, creator of Forgotten Realms™

  “An excellent mix of military action and political intrigue.”

  —Eric Flint, author of the 1632 series

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  RICHARD BAKER is a former United States Navy officer and a well-known game designer. He is also the author of thirteen novels, including the New York Times bestseller Condemnation and the highly acclaimed Last Mythal trilogy. Some of Baker’s notable game design credits include Alternity, the science fiction roleplaying game, and the Axis & Allies Naval Miniatures Game—the bestselling naval war game.

  Visit him online at richard-baker.blogspot.com, or sign up for email updates here.

  Thank you for buying this

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  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  Prologue: DS Carmela Día, Bursa System

  1. Srinagar, Kashmir System

  2. Jaipur, Kashmir System

  3. Mersin, Dahar II

  4. Tawahi Island, Neda III

  5. CSS Decisive, Tejat Minor

  6. Mersin, Dahar II

  7. CSS Decisive, Bursa System

  8. CSS Decisive, Dahar System

  9. SMS Polarstern, Dahar System

  10. Mersin, Dahar II

  11. CSS Decisive, Zafer System

  12. Mersin, Dahar II

  13. CSS Decisive, Bursa System

  14. CSS Decisive, Unknown System

  15. Mersin, Dahar II

  16. Tawahi Island, Neda III

  17. Tawahi Island, Neda III

  18. Mersin, Dahar II

  19. Dahar High Port, Dahar II Orbit

  20. CSS Decisive, Dahar II Orbit

  21. Dahar Naval Shipyard

  22. Meduse, Dahar Naval Shipyard

  23. Meduse, Dahar Naval Shipyard

  24. Baybars City, Meliya Prime

  25. Tawahi Island, Neda III

  Acknowledgments

  Tor Books by Richard Baker

  Praise for Valiant Dust

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  SCORNFUL STARS

  Copyright © 2019 by Richard Baker

  All rights reserved.

  Cover art by Larry Rostant

  A Tor Book

  Published by Tom Doherty Associates

  120 Broadway

  New York, NY 10271

  www.tor-forge.com

  Tor® is a registered trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.

  The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

  ISBN 978-0-7653-9079-0 (trade paperback)

  ISBN 978-0-7653-9080-6 (ebook)

  eISBN 9780765390806

  Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at [email protected].

  First Edition: December 2019

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  Richard Baker, Scornful Stars