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Taken Liberty - A Tale from the Arbiter Chronicles by Steven H. Wilson
Science Fiction
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Aer'La only wants to be free...
The Confederated Worlds are unparalleled as a society of free people, yet, somehow, slavery still manages to exist. Aer'La, a non-human, was bred to serve as a pleasure slave. Years ago, she escaped her masters and masqueraded as a human, joining the Confederate Navy, where she worked her way up to ship's Bos'n under the heroic Captain Jan Atal. Now, Aer'La's secret has been discovered by Atal's superiors, the media, and the world at large. Branded a sociopath, she learns that even a free society isn't willing to grant freedom - or justice - to all.
Library Journal says: "The author of the Arbiter Chronicles, an award-winning audio drama, vividly brings to life a cast of compelling characters while telling a story that measures the cost of freedom. The far-future military setting should appeal to fans of David Weber's "Honor Harrington" series as well as the military sf of David Drake."
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Out of 76 ratings
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Out of 76 ratings
Overall Rating:
Out of 76 ratings
By: Evo
No bleeping added by Podiobooks.com.By: Steve Wilson
Thanks, Dawn! Worry not, there will be more Arbiter Chronicles. I'm plotting another novel now, and that should be out in the next year. As to the bleeping -- first I've heard of it! I didn't do it! I don't know if it's maybe an iTunes thing? I'm going to have to ask!By: dawn
I've recently found the Prometheus Radio Theatre podcasts (how did I miss these???), and went back to podcast #1 to listen (I found them somewhere in the middle of Peace Lord and wasn't content to begin in the middle). I'm so glad I did. As I've moved through the podcasts, I came to a hiatus in which you said to listen to this podiobook to catch up between seasons 1 & 2, and although I had heard much of this story anyway, I decided to do so. I'm glad I did. Not only did I catch some of the nuances I missed the first time around, but I found myself hearing the characters' voices in the actors' voices -- which was delightful. I love the character of Aer?La. I like that she has been through hell and back and is able to still be kind (if acerbic), kickass, and a team member. My only question is why do you bleep out words? This is an adult book with very adult themes. I'm curious about the need to do so since podcast aren't regulated. Just a curiosity. You've done a terrific job throughout the Arbiter Chronicles in creating memorable characters. I hope you keep it up. I'm a big (if new) fan, and look forward to more.
Chapters
| Title | Description | Date Created |
| Chapter 1: The Trouble with Aer'La (13.45 MB) | Captain Jan Atal is confronted by his ship's physician, who has discovered that the ship's bos'n is, in fact, a member of a dangerously violent alien race. | Mar 31, 2006 |
| Chapter 2: Raised in Captivity (18.52 MB) | Bos'n Aer'La relates the story of her childhood as a slave to Captain Atal. | Mar 31, 2006 |
| Chapter 3: Departure (26.34 MB) | In a spaceport tavern, we meet Terry Metcalfe and the other Arbiters, the young officers who work under Captain Atal. After a barfight and the appropriation of their shuttle, they report to the Confederate Naval Vessel /Titan /to face one of the most daunting threats in space: a press conference. | Mar 31, 2006 |
| Chapter 4: The Fifth Midshipman (14.33 MB) | The Arbiters meet their new fellow officers: Deputy Captain Phyn Darby and Midshipman Sestus Blaurich. It's not love at first sight. They learn that Darby and the ship's Physician are scheming to turn Aer'La over to the Admiralty. Metcalfe is accosted by Blaurich and his thuggish friend. | Mar 31, 2006 |
| Chapter 5: Professor Mors (11.51 MB) | Atal's mentor comes aboard to monitor the Aer'La situation. With him is the beautiful, telepathic Dr. Pallas, with whom Metcalfe falls instantly in love. Admiral Fournier, the Secretary of the Navy, announces that Aer'La will be deported back to her home planet. | Mar 31, 2006 |
| Chapter 6: The Arbiters' Society (9.69 MB) | Aer'La's friends learn of her dilemma. Metcalfe and Cernaq fear she may be suicidal. | Apr 8, 2006 |
| Chapter 7: Den of Thieves (19.42 MB) | Cernaq enters into a telepathic union with Aer'La, and relives with her the events which led her from the auction block to the CNV Arbiter. | Apr 14, 2006 |
| Chapter 8: Harl (18.11 MB) | The Varthan investigator arrives on Titan, and is none other than Aer'La's former overseer, Harl. | Apr 21, 2006 |
| Chapter 9: Meet the Press (6.54 MB) | The Varthan slaver, Harl, brings his accusation of Aer'La as a murderer to the public. | Apr 30, 2006 |
| Chapter 10: Arrested (11.08 MB) | Admiral Fournier arrives to place Titan under lock-down and supervise Aer'La's arrest. | May 7, 2006 |
| Chapter 11: Quicker Than the Eye (18.44 MB) | Cernaq and Metcalfe formulate an illegal plan to help Aer'La | May 14, 2006 |
| Chapter 12: Inner Voices (13.84 MB) | Harl demands to search the Titan for the missing Aer'La; Cernaq's telepathy leads him to a wrenching discovery. | May 21, 2006 |
| Chapter 13: Revelations (19.62 MB) | The Arbiter have their final confrontation with Harl as Atal reveals a few things he's kept to himself. And then there's a funeral... | May 25, 2006 |
| Chapter Zero - An Overview of Arbiter Chronicles, Series One (20.63 MB) | Taken Liberty author Steve Wilson relates the events which led up to Taken Liberty, as they were originally presented in the Arbiter Chronicles Radio Drama series. Includes clips from the never-before-podcast radio shows. | Sep 9, 2006 |