The Icarus Hunt (completed)

Timothy Zahn never fails to amaze me. This is the second book by Zahn that I have read (the first being Angelmass) and it only strengthens my respect for Zahn as my favorite Sci-fi author. In The Icarus Hunt, by Timothy Zahn, the future is portrayed as humans establishing colonies and cities alongside thousands of alien species. A new form of business called galactic shipping is established benefit the economy but most of the shipping is now under the control of a powerful alien race known as the the Pattaaunutth, or "Patth" for short. Looking for a way to survive, Jordan McKell, a ship pilot who is currently in a huge debt from an mafia boss known as "Brother John", tries to find some work to do when a mysterious gentleman offers him a shipping job on his spaceship the Icarus. Of course, Jordan agrees and heads out for the space port where the ship was held. As seen in the included picture, the Icarus looks like an abomination compared to more standard ships. Jordan is not the only one to notice this however: the other members of the hired space crew notice this strange factor as well. Each member had been hired off the street by the same mysterious gentleman that approached Jordan, looking for people who filled out their roles to operate a huge spaceship. These members are: Jaegar Jones (mechanic), Almont Nicabar (Engineer and ex-military), Chort (alien space walker), Geoff Shawn (electronic specialist), and Tera (computer specialist). These six members are to get along and fly this huge ship all the way to Earth, which is easier said than done for a number reasons. The first is that their employer wasn't on board when they took off, raising suspicion. Second, the crew doesn't even know what they're carrying as cargo. And third, an incident occurs mid-flight that indicates that there is a saboteur on board that can very well threaten their lives. As the story progresses, tensions increase as pretty soon, the Patth itself is interested in the Icarus and are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it falls in their hands, since this poorly construced ship can change the fate of the economic empire the Patth have established. A highly recommended story for those who like a mix of mystery and sci-fi