Tales from the Sophyan Empire

Welcome to the worlds of the Sophyan Empire, an interstellar union where Earth is but a
distant memory; a confederated series of cultures where civil liberties and democracy stand
in conflict. Rising from the chaos left after generations of conflict and economic collapse,
the Empire stands as an icon: a society based upon the assurance of civil rights, not just for
humans, but for all sentient beings, yet in which power and the right to rule is held in the
hands of a few, and finale say is dictated by one. It is the world of the Sophyan Empire.

THE PRICE OF EMPIRE SERIES

This series follow the adventures of the members of an elite military intelligence unit, the
Advanced Reconnaissance and Assault Group (ARAG) of the Imperial 12th Fleet. Known as
Ripper’s Raiders, this group is tasked with hunting down the terrorists and pirates who
plague the Empire’s borders and undermine its attempts to return prosperity to the galaxy.
As they fight on, however, they discover that not all is necessarily as it appears.

HMS Hunter – Price of Empire Book I

Alex Fotheringday was born to rule. A Mandellan Lord from a powerful family, he is

gifted

;

a clear and natural leader (perhaps even designed to be so). Intelligent,

strong, charming, and powerful, he was given every chance to succeed, and so he

did, until he made

one

dreadful mistake. With his career in ruins and haunted by his

conscience,

is given a second chance at command – a chance to redeem

himself and prove once and for all, that he is worthy of his family name.

Alex

is given command of the

HMS

Hunter; a stealth ship within the Advanced

Reconnaissance and Assault Group of the

welfth

leet, the pride of the Imperial

Navy: Ripper’s Raiders. His crew consists of a wirehead engineer with a

reputation

for dealing in illicits,

noble born Army officer who has somehow

managed to

finagle the command of the ship’s Marine Contingent, an inexperienced

recruit

without even the most rudimentary cybernetic implants, and perhaps most

mysteriously of all a former Astrographer and fellow Mandellan whose father was the

outspoken political rival of his own.

His mission? To track down terrorists and pirates, and eliminate them if possible.

On the way, he discovers the elements of a plot that shakes the foundations of his

beliefs.

Combining elements of espionage and military adventure, HMS Hunter is a striking

example of

Space Opera Noir.

HMS Zephyr – Price of Empire Book II

Samantha Smith’s first command is not going to be an easy one. Her crew is

demoralised, her officers insubordinate, and to add insult to injury, the one man she

truly despises is given command of the Ship’s Marine Contingent. When her

mission is commandeered by Imperial Commissar Iolo Pushkin, it only gets worse.

Together,

however,

they gradually

come to

the realisation that not everything is as it

appears,

is it chance or conspiracy that is drawing them inexorably towards a planet

on the

edge of revolt?

HMS Zephyr, the second offering in this series, continues the story of the 12th Fleet’s

elite special intelligence unit. It builds upon the worlds and characters introduced in

book one, bringing the elements of intrigue to a new height, and showing that

sometimes good is in the eye of the beholder.

Conspiracies meet combat in this intriguing tale of adventure. HMS Zephyr brings a

new level of depth and interest to the Sophyan universe.

HMS Thunderbolt – Price of Empire Book III

Commander Lord Alexander Fotheringday is now in charge of the most elite

Intelligence Unit in his Majesty’s Navy, and about to take them on one of their most

dangerous missions ever. A new wave of terrorism has struck the fringes of the

Empire, and intelligence points to a large rival empire – the Atrucan Coalition: a

warrior-merchant culture with strong traditions and a gender divided society. Are

they attempting to destabilise the Empire, or is there something else going on?

With the help of Tara Miller, a strangely human-like AI, Alex follows the trail of a

missing agent and discovers both new threats and clues that may unravel old

conspiracies.

HMS Thunderbolt continues the story of the ARAG of Ripper’s Raiders, bringing the

elite Naval Intelligence unit together with elements of the Empire’s other intelligence

agencies. Set to occur concurrently with book II, the two volumes can be read in

either order, each showing different perspectives on events as they unfold.

HMS Joyeuse – Price of Empire Book IV

Treachery and treason come to a head as the intrigues and conspiracies of the

Price of Empire series finally comes to

its thrilling

conclusion

. The final truths are

revealed as the

members of the ARAG uncover a series of betrayals and cunning

plots that point to

the heart of the Empire, and the heart of their own unit. Who can

be trusted and how

much? The explosive finale brings the gripping series to an

exciting and revealing

end.

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Designed as an integrated series, the books may be enjoyed alone or together, designed so that each story provides a sense of
closure and satisfaction.