Humanity’s first ever colony off planet is a thriving set of enclaves on the Moon, with only internal security capabilities. Nobody had even considered that there might someday arise a need to defend the place from the mother world! But that day has come. Something has been uncovered on the Moon. Something important. The lunar colonists perceive this great discovery as their own. But as far as the governments of Earth are concerned—they paid for everything on the Moon, so it belongs to them.

There is only one solution: turn Luna into a battlefield!

Behold the ketch Crosscurrent Voyager, bound on a senior year summer cruise to adventure and serious fun. Six kids aboard, ranging from suburban geeks to street-smart pariahs, and a British captain who rarely smiles. What could go wrong? Zombies could go wrong. Just days after they leave, a plague starts spreading like wildfire, turning most of its survivors into shrieking, cannibalistic rage-monsters. Now the Crosscurrent Voyager becomes these teens’ one hope for survival. If they can avoid killing each other in the process of reaching their destination.

Bard Indrajit Twang and mercenary Fix have been hired by a powerful risk-merchant to protect the life of opera star Ilsa without Peer for the duration of a risk contract he’s taken on. When an attempt is made on Ilsa’s life, Indrajit and Fix find themselves hunted by multiple mercenary squads and targeted by some of the most powerful men in the city of Kish. Will they be able to save themselves, not to mention protect Ilsa, in the Palace of Shadow and Joy?

Bhaajan grew up in the Undercity, a community hidden in the ruins buried beneath the glittering City of Cries on the imperial planet Raylicon. Caught between the astonishing beauty and crushing poverty of that life, and filled with wanderlust, she enlisted in the military. Now Major Bhaajan is a private investigator who solves cases for, among other clients, the House of Majda, the powerful royal family centered in Cries. The powerful elite of the City of Cries are disappearing, and only Bhaajan, who grew up in the Undercity, can find them—if she isn’t murdered first. But if she survives, waiting for Bhaajan is a revelation that may transform Cries—and the Empire itself—forever.

In Battle Luna, a group of colonists on the Moon must defend themselves against forces from Earth, turning Luna into a battlefield. With the USA’s Independence Day just around the corner, we were put in mind of all the songs celebrating American independence. Which got us thinking . . . We want to hear your lyrics for a Lunar Independence song for this month’s contest. The winner will receive a copy of Battle Luna, signed by the authors!

Last month we asked you to tell us your memories of a favorite convention you attended for a chance to win a copy of Give Me LibertyCon, signed by the editors. Congrats to Robert Kelly!

Read the winning entry here.

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