“A Pioneer’s Blood Waters the Tree of Civilization”   Within the bounds of Known Space, the Andromeda Galaxy has finally learned peace. The Akaadi Imperium has signed an agreement with the Libera Coalition. All parties hope that this will be a lasting pact, and now turn to the Frontier worlds to revitalize their planets. They need Pioneers. These brave men and women are dropped into inhospitable worlds at the edge of Known Space and tasked with hunting for useful salvage. Valuable materials, lost technologies, and unique lifeforms are desperately sought after by every principality. It is the Pioneer’s job to battle the wilds and bring them back. Many never come back at all.   Enter Daniel Hardgrave. The old man who raised Hardgrave had always told him, “Do what you want, Danny, but never become a Pioneer. Life’s short enough as is. Don’t become expendable.”. Hardgrave had listened, scratching out a living as a fry cook. Right up until he learned he had a little sister to take care of. Wanting to fund her education and give her a better life, he enlisted as a Pioneer. And unknowingly threw himself into the maw of the Apocalypse. Unbeknownst to humanity, old powers are gathering at the furthest edges of the Galaxy, and they threaten everything that Hardgrave has ever known and loved. For an ex-fry cook just trying to provide for a genius little sister and a cynical cat, this is an impossible threat. But his discovery of an ancient technology could change all of that…   Inspired by videogames like Helldivers 2 and Lethal Company, this is a tale of a man who faces danger where none have gone before.   What to expect:   Pulse pounding action in exotic environments. LitRPG-like progression, with a sci-fi twist. Minor romance and comedic elements.