Governor

The Terran Republic and the Terran League have been at war for over fifty years, with no end in sight. The Five Hundred, the social elite of the Republic's Heart Worlds, don't care about the death toll, as their star systems are light-years from any threat of attack, and their children are sheltered from the "mandatory service" that falls so heavily on the Fringe Worlds. Rear Admiral Terrence Murphy is a Heart Worlder sent to New Dublin, a Fringe System, to complete a risk-free military governorship without rocking the boat or dredging up any lunatic Fringe conspiracy theories. However, he believes in honor, duty, and common decency and responsibility and intends to meet those responsibilities and unearth those secrets, and he doesn't much care what the Five Hundred want. He will go wherever it takes him, whatever it costs him, and whatever it requires.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Baen Books

For over fifty years, the Terran Republic and the Terran League have been engaged in a relentless war, with the death toll rising steadily year after year. Despite the devastation caused by their conflict, the members of the Five Hundred, the social elite of the Republic's Heart Worlds, remain unconcerned. Their star systems are far removed from any potential threat, their children are sheltered from the burdensome "mandatory service" that falls heavily on the Fringe Worlds, and their trade connections with the Rishathan Sphere bring them immense wealth and influence. Moreover, their contracts to build ships, fighters, missiles, and other war-related technologies have made them the wealthiest human beings in the history of the galaxy.

Rear Admiral Terrence Murphy, a Heart Worlder, belongs to the Five Hundred and comes from a wealthy and powerful industrialist family. His wife is the daughter of one of the Five Hundred's most influential figures. His sons and daughter have the privilege of avoiding military service and can easily ascend to political power. With his connections and influence, there is no limit to how high he can rise within the Republic's power structure. All he needs to do is successfully complete a risk-free military governorship in the remote Fringe System of New Dublin without causing any disturbances or raising any Fringe conspiracy theories. Furthermore, he must maintain the Five Hundred's stranglehold on wealth and power.

However, the people who sent him to New Dublin have underestimated Terrence Murphy's character. He is a man who values honor, duty, and common decency. He believes that there are dark and dangerous secrets lurking beneath the surface of what everyone believes to be true. Terrence Murphy is determined to fulfill his responsibilities and uncover those secrets, regardless of the consequences it may bring.

As he arrives in New Dublin, Terrence Murphy begins to sense something is amiss. The people he encounters seem wary and secretive, and the system's government is heavily influenced by the Five Hundred. He starts to investigate, digging deeper into the system's history and uncovering hidden truths.

What he discovers is shocking and terrifying. The Five Hundred have been using New Dublin as a testing ground for a secret weapon that could destroy entire star systems. They have been manipulating the local population and using them as human guinea pigs in their experiments.

Terrence Murphy is torn between his duty to the Republic and his moral conscience. He knows that he must stop the Five Hundred from unleashing their weapon, but he also knows that it could mean risking everything he has ever valued.

As the conflict between the Republic and the League intensifies, Terrence Murphy finds himself at the center of a dangerous game. The Five Hundred are willing to do anything to protect their secrets, and they will stop at nothing to silence anyone who gets in their way.

In the end, Terrence Murphy must make a difficult decision. He must choose between his loyalty to the Republic and his moral convictions. He knows that the consequences of his actions could be catastrophic, but he also knows that he cannot stand by and watch innocent people suffer.

In a climactic battle, Terrence Murphy confronts the Five Hundred and their secret weapon. He uses all of his skills and knowledge to outwit them and prevent the weapon from being unleashed.

In the aftermath of the conflict, Terrence Murphy is hailed as a hero. The Republic recognizes his bravery and dedication, and he is awarded the highest honors. He knows that he has made a difficult choice, but he also knows that he has done the right thing.

The war between the Terran Republic and the Terran League may have claimed six billion lives, but one man's courage and determination have saved countless others. Terrence Murphy's legacy will live on as a reminder of the importance of honor, duty, and common decency in a world filled with darkness and danger.

Weight: 694g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 45 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982125400