Dark Expanse · Surviving the Collapse

For millennia, an enigmatic alien race called the Zyxlar had ruled the galaxy.

They seeded the cosmos with life, transplanting vast numbers from among the species they had enslaved, like so many chess pieces. They terraformed planets and extinguished stars, uplifted and destroyed intelligent life. They patiently shaped the galaxy toward the purpose known only to them.

And then, one day, they disappeared without a trace.

The period of calamity that came next is known as the Collapse. Billions of sentient beings were suddenly free from their masters - free to fight among themselves for dominance over their town, their world, their star system. Interstellar economy crashed as the shipping lanes shut down. Inhabitants of many worlds rioted and starved.

Over time, new political structures had emerged. Like-minded leaders forged alliances and federations to defend against their neighbors. Jump gate technology allowed allies access to friendly star systems while keeping out the aggressors. Galactic politics entered the new age of shifting alliances, sabotage missions, and only an occasional war.

Within this volume, you'll find eighteen short stories that flesh out this universe. From humorous to bone-chilling, from the time of the Collapse itself to several hundred years later, these tales explore different aspects and periods of the Dark Expanse storyline. You'll meet heroes and villains, space pirates and black ops operatives, mad telepaths and crusading zealots.

**CONTENT**

"Castles in the Sky" by Nancy Fulda

"Dominoes Falling" by Alex Shvartsman

"The Ten Suns" by Ken Liu

"Betrayal, Clear as Kanzai Glass" by Deborah Walker

"The Price of Escape" by David Walton

"Hellfire Unleashed" by Simon Kewin

"Breaking Down" by Michael Haynes

"They Cannot Scare Me With Their Empty Spaces" by Deborah Walker

"A Small and Secret Freedom" by Matt Mikalatos

"Lightspeed Back to You" by David Wayne

"Escape from Planet Error" by Michael Greenhut

"Jump" by Deborah Walker

"Loud for All the Stars to Hear" by Alex Kane

"To Soar on Winds of War" by David Wayne

"Fires of Night" by Alvaro Zinos-Amaro

"Gorlack the Destroyer’s All You Can Eat Adventure" by Robert L. Russell

"Ghost Ship" by Nancy Fulda

"The Shadow Conspiracy" by Nancy Fulda

Dark Expanse is good, old-fashioned space adventure fun, explored by some of the most talented modern science fiction writers, such as Hugo and Nebula Award winner Ken Liu, Philip K. Dick Award winner David Walton, Hugo and Nebula nominee Nancy Fulda, and a slew of others whose names regularly grace prestigious science fiction magazines.