Audacity Saga Series by R.K. Thorne

PRODIGY. DESERTER. COMMANDER. At 22, Commander Ellen Ryu is a little young to be "retired." Yet she’s planned—and bled in—more battles than veterans twice her age. And, well, she didn’t exactly retire so much as desert. Betrayed by her superiors, turned into a science experiment, and nearly driven insane, Ellen seized the chance for freedom when a shadowy organization offered her a ship of her own and an elite, all-female crew... morePRODIGY. DESERTER. COMMANDER. At 22, Commander Ellen Ryu is a little young to be "retired." Yet she’s planned—and bled in—more battles than veterans twice her age. And, well, she didn’t exactly retire so much as desert. Betrayed by her superiors, turned into a science experiment, and nearly driven insane, Ellen seized the chance for freedom when a shadowy organization offered her a ship of her own and an elite, all-female crew. She's got a new mission now: get revenge on the scientist who almost destroyed her. Nobody is going to get in her way this time. Especially not the merc who's just shown up at her cargo hatch, looking to hitch a ride. MERCENARY. CONVICT. RENEGADE. In the middle of an op gone wrong, cyborg mercenary Kael Sidassian gets stuck with a mission he can't refuse: carry a capsule to safety, the contents of which would bring the galaxy down on his head if anyone knew what was inside. But he’s also got damaged hardware inside his head and a plan to escape from the merc company that forcibly conscripted him over ten years ago. So when a humanitarian ship grants him passage, he thanks his lucky stars for a job that'll solve all his problems at once. That is, if the attachment he’s forming to the ship’s commander—one that goes way beyond duty and loyalty—doesn’t get in the way. As a new threat rises, the prodigy and the screw-up discover far more in common than they ever thought possible. Now both their missions will have to wait, because if they aren't audacious enough to work together, they'll never survive what's coming for them. For lovers of romantic space opera, Lois McMaster Bujold, and David Weber, THE EMPRESS CAPSULE is the first volume in the Audacity series. less

Two months have passed since Commander Ellen Ryu did the impossible and rescued mercenary Kael Sidassian—along with his mysterious cargo. Now the crew of Audacity is stronger than ever, protecting the galaxy against the abuse of technology. But after the team botches a simple humanitarian aid mission, Ryu and Kael find themselves on Capital, a neutral planet full of high fashion, decadent pleasures, and dark secrets... moreTwo months have passed since Commander Ellen Ryu did the impossible and rescued mercenary Kael Sidassian—along with his mysterious cargo. Now the crew of Audacity is stronger than ever, protecting the galaxy against the abuse of technology. But after the team botches a simple humanitarian aid mission, Ryu and Kael find themselves on Capital, a neutral planet full of high fashion, decadent pleasures, and dark secrets. Foundation scientist Chayana Persad has new tech that could help defend against Ryu’s oldest enemy. But local telepaths have been vanishing, and Persad’s son is missing—and somehow at the center of these crimes. As the crew searches for answers, they’ll have to dodge Capital’s corrupt police, allies with hidden agendas, and a traitor aboard Audacity itself. Enemies will strike, guns will fail, and the team will face some tough choices. Can Kael, Ellen, and the crew pull closer together? Or will this decadent planet rip them forever apart? For lovers of romantic space opera, Lois McMaster Bujold, and David Weber, CAPITAL GAMES is the second volume in the Audacity series. It's got action, adventure, and at least one pair of killer high heels. less

In a desperate battle, Commander Ellen Ryu was forced to surrender to the Union and face charges as a deserter in exchange for the freedom of her crew—and her friends—aboard the starship Audacity . Of course, Lieutenant Kael Sidassian wouldn’t let her play the martyr alone, so he stowed away and accompanied her to face the Union and her inevitable fate... moreIn a desperate battle, Commander Ellen Ryu was forced to surrender to the Union and face charges as a deserter in exchange for the freedom of her crew—and her friends—aboard the starship Audacity . Of course, Lieutenant Kael Sidassian wouldn’t let her play the martyr alone, so he stowed away and accompanied her to face the Union and her inevitable fate. Now prisoners aboard the Union ship the Everest , Ellen and Kael have never had less power—or more determination—to defeat the woman who nearly ruined Ellen’s life. Dr. Arakovic and her cultish telepathic followers the Songbirds grow stronger, controlling strategic individuals like mindless puppets. But the Songbird infiltration goes even deeper than any of them might guess. One more victory, and the Songbirds will be unstoppable. Ellen and Kael know where and when to attack before it’s too late. But instead, they’re headed to the Union Inner Planets for Ellen’s trial and possible execution. And that’s if her old nemesis, Colonel Tauber, doesn’t track her down first. The chances of an untimely, unceremonious death that does nothing to stop Songbird galactic conquest are pretty good. And will the captain of the Everest , Ellen’s former flame, be a boon or a burden? Ellen and Kael will find that some oaths, once made, can’t be easily escaped. And some bonds, once forged, aren’t easily broken. This explosive conclusion to the five book series is classic character-driven space opera with a mix of humor, action, and romance. OATH OF DUTY is the fifth and final book in the now complete series, the Audacity Saga. less