Freebooter Foundation

Trade Ship, Drake and her crew, are six weeks from Earth, when Murphy’s Law throws a spanner in the works. An improbable power failure, at the exact time a tiny tennis ball sized meteorite is heading towards her, leaves catastrophic damage. Now Captain Joseph Jones has real problems: not enough fuel to get to Earth; no colonies close; and the damage can’t be repaired in space.

The ship’s navigator, Alison Thompson, finds a solution; AG48-5, a free uninhabited M class planet, is within their fuel range. With no alternatives, they start on the slow journey toward the possibility of salvation.

The ship lands but is damaged further and will never be able to travel in space again. The crew of Drake is marooned, temporarily, while Jones diverts other ships to help. He enquires into the status of AG48-5, and the Coalition Council quickly cedes title to him – Argos is born.

Food and shelter become an issue; new sources must be found if they are to survive. In the background, Jones is working to bring other independent traders to Argos. But a developing political coup on Earth, plus a surprise visit from a Krell battle cruiser sets the scene for intrigue and action.

Against a background of political scandal, treachery and greed, the small group must survive and build a new colony.