Allies

"In the matter of allies only two things are important. First, can he shoot? Second, will he aim at your enemy?"
Allies, Adventures in the Liaden Universe® #12 celebrates Cantra's often repeated quote with two prime examples.
First, Fighting Chance is a short story featuring young Miri Robertson coming face-to- face with a two violent men and a life-changing decision. This story appeared as lead in Women of War in 2005.
Next is the new Sharon Lee and Steve Miller novelette Prodigal Son.
Val Con's necessity as Delm Korval requires him to leave pregnant Miri and return to the backward world Vandar. His enemies from the Department of the Interior threaten the well-being not only of his former bandmates Kem and Hakan, but Zhena Trelu and the entire planet. How could he foresee that Hakan's active curiosity would attract them?
"The combination of wit, relationship, and space opera may appeal to readers of Lois McMaster Bujold." — Booklist
"No one does space opera better than Lee and Miller."  — SFSite