Classic Space Opera

In space everyone can hear you sing. A century ago, intelligent space-faring life was nearly destroyed during the Sentience Wars. To bring the shattered worlds together in the spirit of peace, unity and understanding, the Metagalactic Grand Prix was created. Part concert, part contest, all extravaganza, species far and wide gather to compete in feats of song, dance and/or whatever facsimile of these can be performed by various creatures who may or may not possess, in the traditional sense, feet, mouths, larynxes or faces. 

In this book, Palmer took a giant stride forward from his contemporaries, replacing the noble, uncomplicated heroes of the first space operas, with the tormented anti-hero, "Suicide" Martin Brand, one of science fiction's most memorable characters. The half-crazed Brand, who likes to play classical music while rocketing toward a half-dozen enemy ships, atomic cannons blasting, is Earth's only hope.

Fanner Marston has survived what killed every other man in his party. Driven by greed, power and obsession, he crosses a brutal landscape toward the legendary city of Parva, where the Great Secret of the Universe is said to wait. Marston wants absolute power. He has paid for it in blood, thirst and endurance. But reaching the secret is only the beginning—because the truth at the end of his quest may overturn everything he believed the prize would give him. Forty men began the journey. One man reaches the end. And the greatest secret in existence has one more surprise waiting for him.

A battered starship is reborn as the galaxy's greatest weapon vs. a horde of armored transhuman warriors...The RCS Musashi is an antique ship - a last-chance posting for the unmotivated and undisciplined in the Fleet. But their captain, aging war hero Harrison Kane, believes that his crew of misfits can summon their talents to become the very best.