Code Name Viridian

In a relentless pursuit of galactic conquest, humanity's ambitions knew no bounds. The race to Mars had ended generations ago, pushing those seeking fame to venture beyond known borders. Major corporations battled to be first in securing resources and the future, vying for ownership of a new galaxy, akin to historical westward settlers. A single blinking red light signaled a seismic shift-a colossal deposit of zosmodious ore that eclipsed all others. The catch? It lay on an uncharted planet, Code Name Viridian. Could this audacious find reshape the course of humanity, transcending even human boundaries? Hunter Allen is a ruthless tycoon determined to escape his father's shadow by any means necessary. His handpicked team, poached from rivals, and dedicated resources all converged on one mission: zosmodious. But would he be the first to claim the future, as promised by Exploratory Dynamics' newest discovery? Helen Daylex is Hunter's top operative, eager to prove her mettle, while Nomi Orcano, an overlooked underdog, defied societal constraints with resilience and resourcefulness. And then there was Vincent Daylex, a former combat specialist now making a difference beyond the elite ranks.

How do you fight an enemy you barely understand, let alone see coming? Project Viridian promised a new frontier, but for Helen, it's become an alien battleground. With her life flipped upside down, can Helen survive long enough to see rescue ships that might never arrive? Hunter Allen regrets his choice as the mission spirals out of control. Should he have called Vincent, the only man never to fail him? Now, with Helen missing, will Vincent heed the call for the sister he left behind? Vincent is on a collision course with his past, determined to save Helen at any cost. But can he face the demons of a life he tried to leave behind? And what of Nomi, who sees the hero beneath the scars-will their budding connection survive the trials ahead? Layani sees the invaders' ships, but are they harbingers of doom or saviors? Can her people reclaim their sacred grounds, and what ancient secrets might they unearth if they do?

Vincent was on the hunt. His sister was still on the run. First, on a job to the alien planet Viridian and then beyond. It didn't make any sense. Wasn't one alien world enough? Not for Helen. She discovered a vast network of worlds connected through a system called The World Engine, and she was on the move. Looking for a way past the gravity well, keeping her ship stranded on Viridian. She was out there searching, and he was nipping at her heels. There was one new wrinkle standing in Vincent's way. The Curator in charge of running the World Engine was starting to break down. There were bugs in the ancient AI's system. Before the AI would help them, it wanted a little help of its own. They would fix the system. He would find his sister. Vincent was close, one job away from tracking Helen down. Back on Mars, things were getting dicey. The confederation wanted answers. Hunter didn't have the answers. Helen was missing. Vincent was M.I.A. Most of the men he knew would have eaten the loss and lived to fight another day. Hunter would never be most men. If the Confederation wanted to push him, he would double down. This was his moment. He wasn't going to miss it. His legacy depended on it.