The Black Ships Series by A.G. Claymore

The Black Ships - First in the seriesOur planet was just one small island in the midst of a vast, empty sea. For millennia, its inhabitants thought they were alone - until they took their first tentative steps out of the cradle. As the nations of Earth struggle to establish a fragile colony on the surface of Mars, they suddenly lose all contact with their settlers... moreThe Black Ships - First in the seriesOur planet was just one small island in the midst of a vast, empty sea. For millennia, its inhabitants thought they were alone - until they took their first tentative steps out of the cradle. As the nations of Earth struggle to establish a fragile colony on the surface of Mars, they suddenly lose all contact with their settlers.In the days that follow, it becomes abundantly clear that humans are not the only ones intent on exploiting the resources of the solar archipelago. In a desperate bid for freedom, Humanity must undergo social and economic changes on a scale previously unheard of.In the midst of growing turmoil, the struggle to build an effective defense leads the species to a turning point. The smallest of chances may determine the difference between freedom or eternal subjugation. less

In the decade following Earth's narrow victory over the Dactari invasion attempt, Humans have reverse engineered much of their enemy's technology. From captured data, they learn that the Dactari Republic is merely the successor to a much larger empire; one that died out long before Humans mastered the secrets of iron. Many worlds of the old empire have been left untouched by the republic, and a race begins as the factions of Earth struggle for trade dominance with the independent planets... moreIn the decade following Earth's narrow victory over the Dactari invasion attempt, Humans have reverse engineered much of their enemy's technology. From captured data, they learn that the Dactari Republic is merely the successor to a much larger empire; one that died out long before Humans mastered the secrets of iron. Many worlds of the old empire have been left untouched by the republic, and a race begins as the factions of Earth struggle for trade dominance with the independent planets.The crew members of the Völund have each left Earth for their own reasons. They quickly find themselves embroiled in intrigue, conflict and outright war as their path, paved with good intentions, leads them straight to a hell of their own making. They must follow their path to the very end to learn the ultimate fate of mankind. (Approx. 90,000 words) less