“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.
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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
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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
Scornful Stars Page 44