The Ship Series by Jerry Aubin

Launched as the last gasp of a dying Earth, the Ship set out to preserve humanity by seeding the universe with one billion colonists. Generations of Crew, trained to be either Flight or Marines, have protected the Ship and its civilian cargo from the constant threat of alien violence.Fifteen-year-old Zax has always had trouble fitting in with the other cadets, but he’s finally on the cusp of attaining his dream and gaining entrance to the Pilot Academy... moreLaunched as the last gasp of a dying Earth, the Ship set out to preserve humanity by seeding the universe with one billion colonists. Generations of Crew, trained to be either Flight or Marines, have protected the Ship and its civilian cargo from the constant threat of alien violence.Fifteen-year-old Zax has always had trouble fitting in with the other cadets, but he’s finally on the cusp of attaining his dream and gaining entrance to the Pilot Academy. Catching the eye of the Flight Boss and winning him as a mentor should guarantee Zax a top spot, unless the shocking discovery he makes along the way destroys not only his career, but also the Ship itself. less

Life on the Ship has changed, and for Zax it means a return to the top. The Pilot Academy finally beckons and Zax battles for position against a competitor who brings a fascinating advantage. Meanwhile, his friendship with Kalare remains strained as he refuses to drop his suspicions about the Flight Boss and the officer's knowledge of the mysterious humans... moreLife on the Ship has changed, and for Zax it means a return to the top. The Pilot Academy finally beckons and Zax battles for position against a competitor who brings a fascinating advantage. Meanwhile, his friendship with Kalare remains strained as he refuses to drop his suspicions about the Flight Boss and the officer's knowledge of the mysterious humans. As the Ship travels back towards Earth, the Crew visit a series of previously established colonies and discover startling information about their colonists. Zax eventually gains a new friend who unlocks the past, but the knowledge leads Zax to put his faith in someone who could be a powerful ally--or an even more dangerous foe. less

Adan is ready to leave Earth behind. He successfully transformed his massive asteroid into an amazing spaceship, but faces an even larger challenge as he tries to negotiate the repercussions of the many deals and compromises that were required along the way. The choices he makes will not only impact those people who remain behind, but will also determine how the society onboard his vessel survives far into the future... moreAdan is ready to leave Earth behind. He successfully transformed his massive asteroid into an amazing spaceship, but faces an even larger challenge as he tries to negotiate the repercussions of the many deals and compromises that were required along the way. The choices he makes will not only impact those people who remain behind, but will also determine how the society onboard his vessel survives far into the future. Five thousand years after it first left Earth, the Ship is racing back in search of the mysterious humans its Crew has battled repeatedly. The Flight Boss is navigating an uneasy partnership with the civilian president as the Ship's condition degrades rapidly, but puts his trust in Kalare to prepare their pilots for one final battle to reclaim humanity’s homeworld. less

With the battle for Earth over, our heroes are forced to deal with the repercussions of its outcome. They enlist their closest allies to take back the Ship from enemies both new and old, and along the way they discover a most unexpected source of help.