STARCHILD: Zero (A Space Opera of Lost Starships, Galactic Marines, and Plasma Swords Book 1)

My blood drips into the neon gutters. I never expected to die on this planet. The dark red trickles down my arm, pooling on the grip of my blaster. I was hired to watch: Shadow her, report to her father, then vanish like a ghost— The whole mission a secret. But in the rain-soaked alleys beneath the old maglev tracks, the Censors appeared. One flash of a pulse rifle, one split-second choice, and now two bodies bleed out in the gutter behind us. Now I’m running from the ███████ authorities with Taliah Taiberos—the senator’s daughter. She was never supposed to know I existed. A girl with wildfire hair and rebellion in her eyes. Her hand is in mine, and every step we take together could be our last. Because of the data token I ripped from the dead man’s fist. I haven’t dared look at what’s on it. I only know the Censors would kill to get it back. But the mystery nags at me. Taliah wants to use it to destroy her father’s empire. I just want to survive. Stop the bleeding. Or I'm going to be the next corpse face-down in the gutter. The city is a labyrinth, and every shadow hides a hunter—their mirror visors dotted with rain. With every heartbeat, I feel the net tightening. I’m no longer a bystander. I’m implicated. I’ve touched the secret. Been tainted by it. And on a planet where censorship rules… Secrets get buried. * * * ACCLAIM “Washburn is good at emotion and has an instinct for dramatic style.” — Brandon Sanderson, author of The Stormlight Archive “A slam-bang, can’t-put-it-down sci-fi thriller!” — William C. Dietz, author of Star Wars, Halo, StarCraft, and Mass Effect “J’s stories share the quality that makes Star Wars immortal— their heroes seek not just to save the world but also the villain.” — Bentley Snow, author of Six Fingers Left to Lose “This author gets it. Washburn dives into an original story that evokes the wonder of Star Wars in all the best ways.” — Raymond O’Connor, host of Running Off the Rails podcast “A hard sci-fi space adventure for adults. Deeper than most space operas.” — Joseph Bendoski, author of When the Sky Falls ★★★★★ “Absolutely loved it! Washburn is a genius. The next Orson Scott Card!” — Matt Drake ★★★★★ “STARCHILD is on a higher level.” — Tunk ★★★★★ “An edge-of-your seat story!” — Ashley J. ★★★★★ “Gripping from the first page!” — Michal S. ★★★★★ “I loved STARCHILD! Impossible to not keep reading!” — E.E.B. ★★★★★ “If Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy had a baby, this would be it.” — Melodee ★★★★★ “If you like spaceships, daring missions, secret facilities, or damsels who kick butt, this is a book you’ll enjoy.” — Zach ★★★★★ “I absolutely loved the book! The characters really stuck with me. Hungry to see what comes next.” — C. Hill ★★★★★ “A heart-pounding, page-turning plot. Great settings and fantastic characters. Everything a sci-fi fan could want.” — Jeremy ★★★★★ “Washburn’s got me hooked. The characters are real, simultaneously weak and strong, struggling but capable!” — Erika Stauffer ★★★★★ “A cross between Mistborn and Star Wars! I LOVED it!” — Jessica Pettit View Less