Twilight of the Empire Series by Simon R. Green

Shielded from Imperial attack by the powerful espers who have sought refuge there, Mistworld--the haven for outlaws, rebels, and misfits--faces a new threat from a shadowy figure intent on stalking its streets.

When the empire loses all contact with a distant mining world known as Ghostworld, Captain John Silence leads an investigation to discover the cause.

Danger and intrigue in the cold reaches of space, from New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green. The Hell Squads are intergalactic scouts responsible for determining whether newly discovered worlds are inhabitable. But once they actually touch ground, there's no turning back: they're stuck there for life.

Once the Empire spanned light years, uniting farflung mankind in peace and harmony. Now it is rotten to the core, and a half-mad empress rules with a fist of iron. This is the future fate of humanity as envisioned by the genius imagination of Simon R. GreenBefore the rise of Owen Deathstalker, other heroes defended this perilous galaxy. Their exciting stories are told in three action--packed novellas set in the amazing Deathstalker universe... moreOnce the Empire spanned light years, uniting farflung mankind in peace and harmony. Now it is rotten to the core, and a half-mad empress rules with a fist of iron. This is the future fate of humanity as envisioned by the genius imagination of Simon R. GreenBefore the rise of Owen Deathstalker, other heroes defended this perilous galaxy. Their exciting stories are told in three action--packed novellas set in the amazing Deathstalker universe. "Mistworld " introduces the intrepid Investigator Topaz as she battles an Imperial fiend on a distant pirate haven. "Ghostworld" is Base thirteen, where Jhon Silence and his crew investigate a mystery more chilling than the vacuum of space. And in "Hellworld" Captain Hunter and his fellow scouts are stranded on a planet straight out of their worst nightmares. For in the final years of the Empire, there is no safety anywhere. less