The Antares Series Series by Michael McCollum

When the supergiant star Antares exploded in 2512, the human colony on Alta found their pathway to the stars gone, isolating them from the rest of human space for more than a century.When a powerful warship materializes in the system without warning, the commanders of the Altan Space Navy are alarmed. They dispatch one of Alta’s most powerful ships to investigate, only to discover the unknown behemoth is battered and helmed by a dead crew... moreWhen the supergiant star Antares exploded in 2512, the human colony on Alta found their pathway to the stars gone, isolating them from the rest of human space for more than a century.When a powerful warship materializes in the system without warning, the commanders of the Altan Space Navy are alarmed. They dispatch one of Alta’s most powerful ships to investigate, only to discover the unknown behemoth is battered and helmed by a dead crew.This is disturbing news for the Altans as the defeated battleship would have easily defeated the whole of the Altan navy on it’s own. And if that ship was able to stumble into the Altan system, so too could the force responsible for its destruction. Something must be done. less

Librarian's Note: An alternate cover for this ISBN can be found hereAfter more than a century of isolation, the people of Alta were once again in contact with the rest of human space. But that reunion, led by Captain Richard Drake, spelled the end of civilization on Alta.For the people of the nearest star system were under siege by an alien race called the Ryall, whose only goal in life seemed to be the utter destruction of all Mankind. And it looked as if they might succeed... moreLibrarian's Note: An alternate cover for this ISBN can be found hereAfter more than a century of isolation, the people of Alta were once again in contact with the rest of human space. But that reunion, led by Captain Richard Drake, spelled the end of civilization on Alta.For the people of the nearest star system were under siege by an alien race called the Ryall, whose only goal in life seemed to be the utter destruction of all Mankind. And it looked as if they might succeed.The only hope for these worlds lay with the greater military forces of Earth itself. But to reach Earth, they would have to take the one path not held by the Ryall, and that way passed through the Antares system, which was awash with the deadly radiation of a supernova. It was a risk they would have to take - and Richard Drake would lead the way into hell... less

After a century of warfare, humanity finally discovered the Achilles heel of the Ryall, their xenophobic reptilian foe. Spica Alpha Virginis is the key star system in enemy space. It is the hub through which all Ryall star-ships must pass, and if humanity can only capture and hold it, they will strangle the Ryall war machine and end their threat to humankind forever... moreAfter a century of warfare, humanity finally discovered the Achilles heel of the Ryall, their xenophobic reptilian foe. Spica Alpha Virginis is the key star system in enemy space. It is the hub through which all Ryall star-ships must pass, and if humanity can only capture and hold it, they will strangle the Ryall war machine and end their threat to humankind forever. It all seemed so simple in the computer simulations: Advance by stealth, attack without warning, strike swiftly with overwhelming power. Unfortunately, conquering the Ryall proves the easy part. With the key to victory in hand, Richard and Bethany Drake discover that they must also conquer human nature if they are to bring down the alien foe. less