Powers That Be: Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Book I of Petaybee. Major Yanaba Maddock wasn't a lot of good to the company any more. Lungs practically destroyed by poison gas in a military debacle, she could barely breathe without coughing, never mind doing anything strenuous. But the company still had a use for her and sent her to the icy planet Petaybee to do their spying. Strange things were happening there: geological survey teams sent to examine newly detected mineral deposits were coming up empty or - disappearing altogether. Unauthorised genetically engineered species were being spotted. And the locals weren't talking. The company believed the locals were hiding something - or even plotting rebellion. Yana quickly learned that the locals were more than willing to adopt a sickly newcomer - they taught her to cook, how to keep warm, all the survival ropes - even a home made remedy that helped her lungs more effectively than anything the company had to offer, for all their state of their art. As her health improved, Yana became determined to protect her new home and new people - for something wonderful and strange was happening on Petaybee - it was worthy fighting for, dying for - but most of all it was worth living for. Cover art by Rowena.