Independent contractor Jack Holloway discovers a collection of valuable jewels on planet Zarathustra and offers ZaraCorp a percentage of the wealth in exchange for their help in extracting them, but when Jack sees a family of small furry creatures, he realizes that ZaraCorp does not have a true claim to resources on the planet.
Apprentice dragon rider Kindan, along with Nonala and Kelsa, tries to stop the spread of a deadly contagion and win the approval Lord Bemin, the father of his true love, Koriana.
Imperial Auditor Lord Miles Vorkosigan is sent to Komarr to investigate an accident in which a solar mirror vital to the terraforming of the planet was shattered by a runaway spaceship, but he finds himself unwelcome in the domed cities and must hasten to stop a plot that could result in his exile.
Describes the Biosphere 2 project which has created a closed environment intended to duplicate life on Earth in a way that would facilitate future space colonies.
To prevent the destruction of his planet, teenaged Rigg Sessamekesh, who can manipulate time, must assume more responsibility when he and others travel back 11,000 years to the arrival of human starships.
Todd, one month away from an important birthday, learns all the tough lessons of adulthood when he is forced to flee after discovering a secret near the town where he lives.
