The Fire Opal Mechanism

Athena Hera Sinistra has survived reformatories, madhouses and ballet schools. But nothing prepared her for waking up in her father's space cruiser with a stranger looming over her bed.

Facing mutiny armed only with a torn nightgown and her wits, Athena has no choice but to escape into space -- and to confront singlehanded the darkships that have terrorized Earth's power collectors for centuries.

If she survives, space will never be the same again.