Star Soldiers

CONTROLLING AUTHORITY

Andre Norton-Grand Mistress of science fiction-presents a grand tapestry of the far-flung interstellar future, in which the first starships from Earth have burst out into the universe . . . only to run straight into the restraining grasp of the stagnant alien federation known as Central Control.

Only as interstellar mercenaries can humans go to the stars; the aliens who already dominate the galaxy allow no other recourse. But when Swordsman Third Class Kana Karr and his comrades-in-arms are betrayed and abandoned on a hostile world by their alien masters, the warriors from Earth begin a desperate but glorious march across a planet whose every sword is against them. Their actions may doom humanity's future . . . or lead the way to an empire of their own!

Four thousand years later, galactic civilization is collapsing, and the under funded crew of an exploration starship is forced to set down on an uncharted planet: a mysterious, abandoned world that is achingly beautiful-and hauntingly familiar. Ranger Sergeant Kartr, telepath and stellar Patrolman, searches with his crewmates for the source of a beacon which may mean escape for them all. What he finds is far stranger: the first clue to what may become the greatest revelation in galactic history!

The defining events of future history as only Andre Norton could tell them!

Publisher's Note: Star Soldiers has been previously
published in parts as Star Guard and Star Rangers.
This is the first unitary edition.

Cover art by Stephen Hickman

Hardcover
Paperback

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

First printing, August 2001

Distributed by Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Norton, Andre.

Star soldiers / by Andre Norton.
p. cm.
ISBN 0-671-31827-6
1. Life on other planets—Fiction. 2. Space flight—Fiction. I. Title.

PS3527.O632 S72 2001
813'.52—dc21 2001025926

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 0-671-31827-6

A Baen Books Original
Baen Publishing Enterprises
P.O. Box 1403
Riverdale, NY 10471
http://www.baen.com

Production by Windhaven Press
Auburn, NH

Electronic version by WebWrights
http://www.webwrights.com

BAEN BOOKS BY ANDRE NORTON:

Time Traders
Time Traders II
Star Soldiers
Warlock (forthcoming)