Requiem For The Conqueror: W. Michael Gear

Forbidden Borders Volume I. The Forbidden Borders form a seemingly unassailable gravity-powered barrier, cutting humankind off from the wider universe, confining rival empires to a few star systems and leaving them to strive endlessly against one another for total control. But now the weakest have fallen - only two mighty empires remain and now each must once again turn to the man both fear almost more than they fear each other, the man each is determined to hire - or, failing that, to assassinate - Staffa ka Therma, Lord Commander of the Companions. Trained to be the ultimate killing machine, the penultimate general, Staffa has led his crack Companion mercenary troops to victory time and again. He is cursed as the Star Butcher, the bringer of death and destruction. And he's never turned his back on making a new contract. But his latest victory has brought a discovery that will have far-reaching repercussions - the son stolen from Staffa in his infancy may still be alive, and Staffa will let nothing stand in the way of the search for his son...even though his quest may lead him to his own destruction. Cover art by Sanjulian.