Elite mercenary Connor Rattakul can't escape his past.

After choosing the wrong side in a war against the Directorate, he becomes a fugitive, hiding in the ranks of the thousands of mercenaries always desperate for the next job. But a series of mishaps force his team deep into the Talon Sector, where the Directorate holds power. Only his former girlfriend's intervention can save him.

With Directorate assassins on his trail, Connor is forced to take on a job that his team might not survive from a client his boss says can't be trusted.

But that boss seems ready to crack, and the client is hiding deadly secrets from the mercenaries. Will Connor be able to lead his teammates through the dark world he's led  them to, or will they all die in the alien gloom?

Ill Fortune

Thick, warm forest air thrummed inside the airlock, drawing sweat from Connor’s pores, even though all we he doing was holding onto the rappelling line. Beneath the Lucky Sevens, the crazy spikes he’d mistaken for trees swayed.


Parasitic winged things flapped, adding to the illusion of a forest caught in the blast of the ship’s roaring thrusters.


Vicente slapped his armored chest plate and pointed Mamacita at the black woodlands below. “I can smell those big bugs, Boss. Like copper.”


Was that the bugs, though? It certainly wasn’t imagination. The stench was stronger than the rocket exhaust.


Connor licked his gums, which tingled and held the sweet taste of synthcaff.


His helmet radio squawked as Martienne connected.


“The clearing we must use, it is just ahead.” She wore an environment suit, so her voice was hollow and a little muffled.


Chapter 88