Plan B

Plan B (copyright 1998, Steve Miller and Sharon Lee)
Part of the Liaden Universe Agent of Change sequence
Plan B was reprinted with the sequel I Dare in the duology Korval's Game -- published in 2011 by Baen Books
Korval's Game includes an Introduction from the authors, PLAN B, an Authorial Denial, I DARE, an Afterward, and a Liaden/Terran Dictionary
Plan B is also published in audiobook format, narrated by Andy Caploe
see The Books (and other stories)

This book introduces Nelirikk Explorer, and features Val Con yos'Phelium and Miri Robertson, along with Shan yos'Galan and Priscilla

Chronologically, it follows directly after the events in Carpe Diem and loosely overlaps with short stories Breath's Duty and Daughter of Dragons

Synopsis[]

Pursued across space by the ultra-secret Department of the Interior, hunted by the galaxy-wide Juntavas syndicate, former Agent of Change Val Con yos' Phelium and his ex-soldier lifemate Miri Robertson have commandeered the only spaceship on Vandar and fled, seeking help from Miri's newly discovered kin on Lytaxin.

Elsewhere, Clan Korval is in action. Scattered across space by the newly invoked Plan B, certain clan members pursue the search for the long-missing Val Con. First Speaker Nova yos'Galan returns to Lufkit, seeking clues, as Dutiful Passage, Korval's premier tradeship, arms itself for war — and discovers treachery.

Back on Lytaxin, Miri's homecoming is interrupted by a full-scale Yxtrang planetary invasion. Then things start to get really interesting... (Amazon.com)

Setting[]

PLACES:

Planet Lytaxin, home of Clan Erob and Miri’s lineage, Line Tiazan
Korval Flagship, Dutiful Passage
Liad, Solcintra, Command Prime for The Department of the Interior
Liad, at Jelaza Kazone
Other Planets: Fendor, Lufkit, Delgado, Shaltren, Vandar (in orbit)

TIME:

Standard Year 1393
Clan Korval is enacting the survival strategy, dubbed Plan B
In the Korval's Game duology, chapter two is dated "1396 Vandar Orbit" but that year is perhaps a typo. The year is 1393, following the Winterfair events in the prequel, Carpe Diem

Main Characters[]

Supporting Characters[]

The Mercs: Junior Commander Jason Carmody, Senior Commander Suzuki Rialto, Senior Commander Angela Lizardi retired, etc.
various members of Clan Erob
Crew of Dutiful Passage
- Ren Zel dea'Judan, pilot first class
- Gordon Arbuthnot / Gordy, Associate Trader and third class pilot
- Seth Johnson, pilot
Commander of Agents, The Department of the Interior, and various agents
Fourteenth Conquest Corps Yxtrang
Clutch Turtles Edger and Sheather
Nova yos'Galan, First Speaker of Clan Korval
Anthora yos'Galan, a powerful dramliza
Jeeves, one of the Independent Logics
Daav yos'Phelium / Scholar Jen Sar Kiladi
Pat Rin yos'Phelium and Cheever McFarland
Chairman Pro Tem Sambra Reallen, Juntavas
etc.

Excerpt[]

Chapter 1: LIAD: Department of Interior Command Headquarters

The immediate problem was threefold, the sections named thus: Clan Korval, Val Con yos’Phelium, Tyl Von sig’Alda.
Clan Korval. The Department of Interior had long been aware of the danger presented by Clan Korval, that maverick and most oddly successful of clans. The Department of Interior had taken measures—bold measures—in the past, with an eye toward nullifying Korval’s menace. The culmination of these measures was the recruitment of Korval’s young nadelm into the Department and the subsequent redesign of that same Val Con yos’Phelium into an Agent of Change.
That stroke, brilliant and necessary, had produced uncalculated results. Korval became aware of the Department. And, being Korval, measures—bold measures—had been taken. The Department found its name spoken in public places; long-stable funding sources came under scrutiny, several dummy accounts were unmasked and summarily closed by the Masters of the Accountants Guild, the funds returned to the Council of Clans.
Not satisfied with such unseemly commotion, Korval moved again—and more boldly yet. The clan vanished—ships, children, servants, and pets—all, all gone from Liad. Not quite all.