Taken Liberty: Recent Episodes
Steven H. Wilson
Aer'La only wants to be free...The Confederated Worlds are unparalleled as a society of free people, yet, somehow, slavery still manages to exist. Aer'La, a non-human, was bred to serve as a pleasure slave. Years ago, she escaped her masters and masqueraded as a human, joining the Confederate Navy, where she worked her way up to ship's Bos'n under the heroic Captain Jan Atal. Now, Aer'La's secret has been discovered by Atal's superiors, the media, and the world at large. Branded a sociopath, she learns that even a free society isn't willing to grant freedom - or justice - to all.Library Journal says: "The author of the Arbiter Chronicles, an award-winning audio drama, vividly brings to life a cast of compelling characters while telling a story that measures the cost of freedom. The far-future military setting should appeal to fans of David Weber's "Honor Harrington" series as well as the military sf of David Drake."
The Arbiter have their final confrontation with Harl as Atal reveals a few things he's kept to himself. And then there's a funeral...
Harl demands to search the Titan for the missing Aer'La; Cernaq's telepathy leads him to a wrenching discovery.
The Varthan investigator arrives on Titan, and is none other than Aer'La's former overseer, Harl.
Cernaq enters into a telepathic union with Aer'La, and relives with her the events which led her from the auction block to the CNV Arbiter.
Atal's mentor comes aboard to monitor the Aer'La situation. With him is the beautiful, telepathic Dr. Pallas, with whom Metcalfe falls instantly in love. Admiral Fournier, the Secretary of the Navy, announces that Aer'La will be deported back to her home planet.
The Arbiters meet their new fellow officers: Deputy Captain Phyn Darby and Midshipman Sestus Blaurich. It's not love at first sight. They learn that Darby and the ship's Physician are scheming to turn Aer'La over to the Admiralty. Metcalfe is accosted by Blaurich and his thuggish friend.
In a spaceport tavern, we meet Terry Metcalfe and the other Arbiters, the young officers who work under Captain Atal. After a barfight and the appropriation of their shuttle, they report to the Confederate Naval Vessel /Titan /to face one of the most daunting threats in space: a press conference.
Captain Jan Atal is confronted by his ship's physician, who has discovered that the ship's bos'n is, in fact, a member of a dangerously violent alien race.
Taken Liberty author Steve Wilson relates the events which led up to Taken Liberty, as they were originally presented in the Arbiter Chronicles Radio Drama series. Includes clips from the never-before-podcast radio shows.