Fourth Fleet Irregulars Series by S.J. MacDonald

Skipper Alex von Strada is one of the Fleet’s highest achieving officers, commanding the corvette Minnow with a company of eccentric officers and last-chance crew sent to him for rehab. After a PR disaster has activists and media storming the Admiralty gates, First Lord Dix Harangay sends Minnow out on a makework patrol. Inspector Mako Ireson goes with them to investigate what’s really going on. Mako has never been on a starship before... moreSkipper Alex von Strada is one of the Fleet’s highest achieving officers, commanding the corvette Minnow with a company of eccentric officers and last-chance crew sent to him for rehab. After a PR disaster has activists and media storming the Admiralty gates, First Lord Dix Harangay sends Minnow out on a makework patrol. Inspector Mako Ireson goes with them to investigate what’s really going on. Mako has never been on a starship before. He can’t tell port from starboard, doesn’t know what the 0-G sign means at freefall hatchways, and may need to change his underwear after the launch.Nobody is expecting that the “mission zero” they've been sent on will turn into a real operation. When it does, the Minnow’s crew has to rise to the challenge and justify their skipper’s faith in them.This is the first mission of the legendary Fourth Fleet Irregulars, the unit you send for when you need a miracle.For Mako Ireson, it will be the adventure of a lifetime. less

Skipper Alex von Strada has a new ship and a new mission. His task is to clean up the infamous deep space station ISiS Karadon. ISiS Corps Director Belassa Torres is determined to defend the station’s independence. Caught between them, manager Chokran Dayfield will find his sanity and even his life on the edge. “I intend to put a stop to drug trafficking on Karadon and to bring all those responsible to justice. You have my assurance that I will do whatever it takes to achieve that objective... moreSkipper Alex von Strada has a new ship and a new mission. His task is to clean up the infamous deep space station ISiS Karadon. ISiS Corps Director Belassa Torres is determined to defend the station’s independence. Caught between them, manager Chokran Dayfield will find his sanity and even his life on the edge. “I intend to put a stop to drug trafficking on Karadon and to bring all those responsible to justice. You have my assurance that I will do whatever it takes to achieve that objective. I would like you to keep that picture of Annabella Tokford laying dead in the street, Mr Dayfield. Put it on your desk. At any time when you are unclear as to my objectives and intentions here, just look at that picture.”The Fourth Fleet Irregulars leap into their second operation with the enthusiasm of teenagers allowed to play with explosives. less

"The committee has planned a task series for you, Alex..." With an alien aristocrat joining the crew, the Fourth Fleet Irregulars embark on a mission that will take them beyond the League's borders - and beyond their wildest dreams.

For centuries, there have been glimpses of something very strange and very fast in the turbulent space beyond Telathor, known to spacers as the Space Monster of Sector Seventeen. Now the Fourth is sent to investigate the Phenomenon under orders never to use the M word – nobody, after all, wants to be on record as the person who sent warships to hunt for a space monster. Alex is about to discover, though, that friends can be more of a problem than enemies... moreFor centuries, there have been glimpses of something very strange and very fast in the turbulent space beyond Telathor, known to spacers as the Space Monster of Sector Seventeen. Now the Fourth is sent to investigate the Phenomenon under orders never to use the M word – nobody, after all, wants to be on record as the person who sent warships to hunt for a space monster. Alex is about to discover, though, that friends can be more of a problem than enemies. As a touch and go courtesy visit turns into weeks, getting away from Telathor will be a challenge in itself. And then there is the Quarian Ambassador, creating chaos everywhere she goes. Highly empathic, with no concepts of tact or privacy, with the ability to override all security systems and no regard for authority, even keeping her safe will be a challenge. (Skipper's Rule Four – Do not enter active volcanoes.) But then, if it was going to be easy, they wouldn't have asked the Fourth to do it. less

The Fourth has found the mysterious long-lost colony of Carrearranis. Their task: to land on the planet and acquire the advanced technology which could protect their own worlds. The problem: the planet is protected by a ten thousand year old Guardian, the mythical Space Monster of Sector Seventeen. Alex will have to make the most difficult decision of his life to succeed on this mission.

The Fourth Fleet Irregulars have a new ship; the Venturi. Their mission - to make contact with the mysterious Chethari, the alien only Alex von Strada can see. Transported to a strange world far beyond the realms of human exploration, the Fourth must draw on all their resources and courage as it turns out that the Chethari have rather more in mind than saying hello... moreThe Fourth Fleet Irregulars have a new ship; the Venturi. Their mission - to make contact with the mysterious Chethari, the alien only Alex von Strada can see. Transported to a strange world far beyond the realms of human exploration, the Fourth must draw on all their resources and courage as it turns out that the Chethari have rather more in mind than saying hello.How will the Fourth cope when they find themselves stranded without weapons, supplies or money in a hostile port? Can they assist an alien ambassador to establish an embassy there? And what are they going to do with the LIA agent who wants Alex von Strada dead?Alex and the Fourth will have to go above and beyond to win through this mission. less