Kris Longknife: Tenacious (Kris Longknife novellas Book 12)

Praise for

Kris Longknife:

DEFENDER

“[A] fun and entertaining addition to an exquisitely well-developed space opera saga.”

—
Night Owl Reviews

Kris Longknife:

FURIOUS

“The intriguing science fiction novels that comprise this very entertaining series never fail to be peopled with fascinating characters and wonderfully creative worlds. [Shepherd] is adept at world-building and has a complex system in place that is always fun to visit.”

—
Night Owl Reviews

Kris Longknife:

DARING

“Shepherd delivers no shortage of military action, in space and on the ground. It’s cinematic, dramatic, and dynamic . . . [He also] demonstrates a knack for characterization, balancing serious moments with dry humor . . . [
Daring
is] a thoroughly enjoyable adventure featuring one of science fiction’s most interesting recurring heroines.”

—Tor.com

“A tightly written, action-packed adventure from start to finish . . . Heart-thumping action will keep the reader engrossed and emotionally involved. It will be hard waiting for the next in the series.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“The story line is faster than the speed of light.”

—
Alternative Worlds

Kris Longknife:

REDOUBTABLE

“Kris Longknife is a hero to the core, with plenty of juice left for future installments.”

—
Fresh Fiction

Kris Longknife:

UNDAUNTED

“An exciting, action-packed adventure . . . Mr. Shepherd has injected the same humor into this book as he did in the rest of the series.”

—
Fresh Fiction

Kris Longknife:

INTREPID

“[Kris Longknife] will remind readers of David Weber’s Honor Harrington with her strength and intelligence.”

—
Genre Go Round Reviews

Kris Longknife:

AUDACIOUS

“Mike Shepherd is a fantastic storyteller who excels at writing military science fiction . . . This is a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience for science fiction fans.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“‘I’m a woman of very few words, but lots of action’: So said Mae West, but it might just as well have been Lieutenant Kris Longknife, princess of the one hundred worlds of Wardhaven.”

—
Sci Fi Weekly

“Mike Shepherd has a great ear for dialogue and talent for injecting dry humor into things at just the right moment . . . Military SF fans are bound to get a kick out of the series as a whole, and fans will be glad to see Kris hasn’t lost any of her edge.”

—
SF Site

More praise for the Kris Longknife novels

“A whopping good read . . . Fast-paced, exciting, nicely detailed, with some innovative touches.”

—Elizabeth Moon, Nebula Award–winning author of
Crown of Renewal

“Shepherd’s grasp of timing and intrigue remains solid, and Kris’s latest challenge makes for an engaging space opera, seasoned with political machination and the thrills of mysterious ancient technology, that promises to reveal some interesting things about the future Kris inhabits.”

—
Booklist

“Everyone who has read Kris Longknife will hope for further adventures starring this brave, independent, and intrepid heroine . . . This is outer-space military science fiction at its adventurous best.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“Fans of the Honor Harrington escapades will welcome the adventures of another strong female in outer space starring in a thrill-a-page military space opera. The heroine’s dry wit [and] ability to know what she is good at [as well as] her faults, [all] while keeping her regal DNA in perspective, especially during a crisis, endear her to readers. The audience will root for the determined, courageous, and endearing heroine as she displays intelligence and leadership during lethal confrontations.”

—
Alternative Worlds

“[Shepherd] has a good sense of pace . . . Very neatly handled, and served with a twist of wry. A surprisingly talented read from a very underrated author.”

—
Bewildering Stories

“Shepherd does a really good job with this book. If you’re looking for an entertaining space opera with some colorful characters, this is your book.”

—
Books ’n’ Bytes

“You don’t have to be a military sci-fi enthusiast to appreciate the thrill-a-minute plot and engaging characterization.”

—
RT Book Reviews

Ace Books by Mike Shepherd

KRIS LONGKNIFE: MUTINEER

KRIS LONGKNIFE: DESERTER

KRIS LONGKNIFE: DEFIANT

KRIS LONGKNIFE: RESOLUTE

KRIS LONGKNIFE: AUDACIOUS

KRIS LONGKNIFE: INTREPID

KRIS LONGKNIFE: UNDAUNTED

KRIS LONGKNIFE: REDOUBTABLE

KRIS LONGKNIFE: DARING

KRIS LONGKNIFE: FURIOUS

KRIS LONGKNIFE: DEFENDER

KRIS LONGKNIFE: TENACIOUS

TO DO OR DIE: A JUMP UNIVERSE NOVEL

VICKY PETERWALD: TARGET

Specials

KRIS LONGKNIFE: TRAINING DAZE

KRIS LONGKNIFE: WELCOME HOME / GO AWAY

Writing as Mike Moscoe

THE FIRST CASUALTY: A JUMP UNIVERSE NOVEL

THE PRICE OF PEACE: A JUMP UNIVERSE NOVEL

THEY ALSO SERVE: A JUMP UNIVERSE NOVEL

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

Published by the Penguin Group

Penguin Group (USA) LLC

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014

USA • Canada • UK • Ireland • Australia • New Zealand • India • South Africa • China

penguin.com

A Penguin Random House Company

KRIS LONGKNIFE: TENACIOUS

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

Copyright © 2014 by Mike Moscoe.

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group.

ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) LLC,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

eBook ISBN: 978-0-698-13975-6

PUBLISHING HISTORY

Ace mass-market edition / November 2014

Cover art by Scott Grimando.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

As Kris Longknife’s life takes another turn, for better or worse, I’d like to take time to thank some folks who have helped bring to life the tales of Kris, Vicky, and the old folks, back when they were young themselves.

The gang at the Historic Anchor Inn in Lincoln City has been spectacular. I’ve juggled three books demanding to get on the page for the last two years. They’ve helped me find a place where it all can happen, and find that place again and again as life made other plans. With my two wonderful grandkids making that break into those teenage years, and all the things that were already competing in my life for time, Kip, Candi, and Misty always found a way to free up my writing space for the week that suddenly appeared.

I’ve got a great pair of first readers to back up my wife, Ellen. Lisa Kelly not only helps my grandkids with their homework but also helps me with mine. Edee Lemonier is always ready with a good eye.

Jenn Jackson is now and always has been the best agent a busy writer could ask for. She’s found homes for Kris in Japan and Germany, Poland and Spain. She’s seen that Audible contracts were done in time for the books to come out for listeners as well as readers.

Ginjer Buchanan is just about the best editor a writer could have. She’s really stepped up to the plate to get three books out to you this year. I couldn’t ask for better support. Even when I’m a bit reluctant to make this or that minor change she’s telling me I really want to make. And she’s right about it, too! Sadly and happily, I am losing Ginjer to a well-earned retirement. She’s been editing for Ace for thirty years, the last twenty of them working with me. She’s surely earned many great golden years. Have fun, Ginjer.

And, as she has been for forty-seven years, Ellen Moscoe is the support and star in my life, the first editor of my words, and the last thought of my day.