After the Galaxy Series by Scott Bartlett, Mark Boyett

We colonized the galaxy - then abandoned it Famine swept the stars, and most of humanity gave up, uploading by the trillions into a digital utopia free from pain and want. It’s Commander Joe Pikeman’s job to protect what’s left: not just the computer servers, but the flesh-and-blood people huddled in fortified settlements, praying to be overlooked by pirates and other predators... moreWe colonized the galaxy - then abandoned it Famine swept the stars, and most of humanity gave up, uploading by the trillions into a digital utopia free from pain and want. It’s Commander Joe Pikeman’s job to protect what’s left: not just the computer servers, but the flesh-and-blood people huddled in fortified settlements, praying to be overlooked by pirates and other predators. When raiders start abducting children from those settlements, Joe uncovers a galaxy-wide conspiracy bent on enslaving everyone. They hit Joe where it hurts the most – where he keeps his heart buried. Now, he’s going to use all his training and skill to make them pay. less

Enlisting was his only ticket out.Raised fatherless in a galactic Brinktown, Joe Pikeman only ever wanted to escape.The Galactic Guard offered that escape, with the promise of regular meals to boot. Now Joe is a full Guardsman, with his own ship and a snide partner bot who hates humans almost as much as he hates other bots.To the pirates he hunts, Joe is known as the Butcher... moreEnlisting was his only ticket out.Raised fatherless in a galactic Brinktown, Joe Pikeman only ever wanted to escape.The Galactic Guard offered that escape, with the promise of regular meals to boot. Now Joe is a full Guardsman, with his own ship and a snide partner bot who hates humans almost as much as he hates other bots.To the pirates he hunts, Joe is known as the Butcher. His bloody reputation has landed him in the center of a sweeping conspiracy that threatens to stamp out the galaxy’s last surviving human settlements.As Joe races against time to salvage what’s left of his species, one thing becomes crystal clear: You can never escape your past.It all starts on Earth, humanity’s deserted homeworld.... less