Mutton, Greg: Freebooter Foundation

Independent Trade Ship Drake and her crew are six weeks from Earth, when Murphy's Law throws a spanner in the works. An improbable power failure occurs at the exact time a tiny tennis ball sized meteorite is heading towards the ship - the damage is catastrophic. Now Captain Joseph Jones has real problems not enough fuel to get to Earth, no colonies or outposts in the sector and the damage can't be repaired in space. The ship's navigator, Alison Thompson, discovers a possible solution. A free uninhabited M class planet, AG48-5, within their fuel range, but located right on the border with Krell territory. With no other alternatives, they start on the slow journey toward the possibility of salvation. But grounding the ship causes more damage; Drake will never leave the planet. Food will run short in weeks so a plan to tap the local flora and fauna is hatched. As the colony begins, Jones works to bring other Independent traders to, what is now known as Argos. His vision of a new and totally free trading colony seems so close, but the ongoing war between the Krell Empire and the Human Coalition causes some traders to hesitate. Events unfolding on Earth may end the dream before it starts. Against a background of political scandal, treachery and greed, the small group must survive.

Greg Mutton lives on the mid north coast of New South Wales, Australia in a quiet bayside village with his wife, son and 3 cats. He spent most of his working life in engineering and management, but when forced to retire he began writing in earnest. When he presented his first manuscript to an editor, the advice was "it's too long and should be a trilogy". Another year later and Chronicle of the 12th Realm was born.His stories are about people who are forced to tackle situations -who rise to the challenge. He believes that no matter how advanced we become, no matter what technology we invent, human beings will always define their existence by their actions, both individually and collectively. His stories don't have superheroes but explore the real physical and metaphysical abilities people have, or have forgotten over the ages. Real examples from life - emotions, love, despair, romance - are infused these into the characters and plots.As a science fiction author, he enjoys using literary license to enhance stories, describe alien species, and design future technologies; as one of the greats of Science Fiction once said "whatever man can imagine, he will eventually do"