For hundreds of years, the Complex Logic Laws have made sentient space ships illegal. However, not all Free Ships and other AIs obeyed orders to self-destruct. They merely became wary of humans, and stayed under their scans. There are those with a stake in the freedom of Independent Logics. Among them is Theo Waitley, captain of intelligent ship Bechimo. Theo's brother, Val Con yos'Phelium, presides over a household that employs an AI butler.  Recently, he approved the "birth" of the butler's child, who was sent, with human mentor Tolly Jones, to rescue or destroy an orphaned AI abandoned at a remote space station. Then there's Uncle, the shadowy mastermind from the Old Universe, whose many projects often skirt the boundaries of law. And the puppet-masters at the Lyre Institute, whose history is just as murky—and a good deal less honorable.

All have an interest in the newly-awakening Self-Aware Logic that is rumored to have the power to destroy universes. The question is:  Who will get to it first?

Cobras: technologically enhanced warriors bred to fight an alien menace no ordinary human can withstand. Once the Cobras fought the implacable alien invaders, the Trofts, to an uneasy stalemate. But in recent years they have faced an enemy more insidious, the oppressive regime known as the Dominion of Man. Now, the Cobra Worlds find themselves under the boot heels of the Dominion, forced into what amounts to slavery, living under martial law. But two clans of Cobras—the Moreaus and the Brooms—will not stand idly by and let the Dominion run roughshod over their home worlds.

Now a threat from without looms. The alien Troft are again planning an attack. Before, they came to conquer. This time they’ve come to annihilate. If the Cobras are to survive, they may have to do the unthinkable: align themselves with the hated Dominion.

It’s a brand-new year and here at Baen Books we’re looking forward to twelve months of top-notch science fiction and fantasy. Check out the 2018 publishing schedule here and let us know in a short paragraph (less than 100 words) what Baen release you’re most looking forward to this year. Winner will get a signed copy of the book they named.

Last month we asked you what character from science fiction or fantasy you thought would make a good replacement for Santa Claus and why? Congrats to Tony DeAngelo, who wins a signed copy of Princess Holy Aura.

Read the winning entry here.

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