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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 beacon: 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
Welcome to the worlds of the Sophyan Empire, an interstellar union where Earth is but a hands of a few, and finale say is dictated by one. It is the world of the Sophyan Empire.

THE PRICE OF EMPIRE SERIES
      
    In a war between democracy and civil rights, which side do you choose?

This series follow the adventures of Alex Fotheringday and the members of his elite military
intelligence unit.  Known as Ripper’s Raiders, the Advanced Reconnaissance and Assault
Group (ARAG) of the Imperial 12th Fleet 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,
and the lines between enemies and allies grows ever shadier...

HMS Hunter – Strings on a Shadow Puppet

    As the civil war in the Sophyan Empire drags one, a new player, the Wayang, has
    entered the fray ignoring even the most established rules of engagement. Tasked
    with neutralizing this threat, Commander Alexander Fotheringday and the crew of the
    HMS Hunter dog the brutal extremists discovering betrayals that run deep into the
    Empire.  Despite damning revelations, Alex and crew must band together or
    surrender to a foe with no conscience.

HMS Zephyr – A Web of Pawns

    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

    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

    Conspiracy 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.