Description:

Book 2 in the Rebels and Patriots series

“It could be worse. At least you’re an Imperial citizen.”

Anon
It was a common enough phrase in the Imperium, but it began to ring false for Paul Grimm and Julia Urbica after their failed scouting mission at the Gray world of Sintel. Captured and carried far beyond the reach of Imperial intervention, they find a society that, while far from perfect, may actually be worth fighting for.
And fight they must. The nearly mythical lost worlds of the ‘Beyonder’ colonies are embroiled in a decades old civil war that shows no signs of ending. Lacking the Imperium’s crushing taxes, the war is prosecuted mainly through the licensing of privateers; ships authorized by the various governments to attack and seize enemy shipping and installations.
As they struggle to find a solid footing in the unfamiliar society of Roanoke, they learn that old enemies are still out there and they’re still pulling strings to keep conflict alive. Paul and Julia must tread carefully to sort out friend from foe, knowing that the slightest misstep could bring about the complete destruction of the Beyonder worlds. Lurking just beyond their borders lies a merciless, calculating enemy and the lightly armed privateers would be no match for purpose built warships.
Being intentionally forgotten by the Imperium can be a double edged sword.
Approx 86,000 words

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From the Author

Many thanks to Chris Nuttall for developing the Imperium Cicernus shared universe and for offering me a work visa in it! The books in that universe are all standalone novels by various authors and I look forward to reading more IC novels as the years go by. 

This Story is a sequel to my own contribution to the IC universe. It follows the adventures of Paul Grim and Julia Urbica as they move beyond the rim and discover there's life outside of Imperial influence. 

As usual, hostilities ensue. 

No animals were harmed in the writing of this story, though a sparrow did hit my window once. I watched for a few minutes (through the window, since the poor guy had already been through enough stress already) until he got up, gave me what seems to be the sparrow equivalent of the finger, and flew off.