In a cold war edging toward open war, minor diplomat Lawrence Lepton sees one last ladder up. His assignment: Verda, a jungle protectorate where the Zantheon pyramid projects a weapon-nullifying anomaly. If he secures it, the Galactic Union holds the line against the Pectish Commonwealth. If he fails, all roads lead to Homeworld—and the Star Legion won’t stop Pectish vandals from sacking the Union.
The mission drags his private life into view—a liaison he can’t bury, a marriage under audit, favors called in from the Chancellor.

Beta readers wanted for a near-finished draft of Lepton’s Loss (~47,000 words; Space Opera/Sci-Fi). Focus: plot clarity, character motivation, pacing, worldbuilding density.

Heat: mild. Content: infidelity, violence, political intrigue.

If you enjoy a character-driven morally tangled space opera (Dune/Expanse vibes), sign up to help shape Book 1 of Astral Clash.