Fires of Prometheus — Michael G. Thomas

Fires of Prometheus is the third book in the epic 'Uprising' series, part of the growing Star Crusades universe that chronicles humanity's first interstellar confederation that is torn apart by religious strife and extremism.

In this latest book of the Star Crusades Uprising series, the sector is entering a short period of calm. There is peace in Proxima Centauri but for how long? The religious insurgency has already exploded throughout the system and one by one the colonies have seceded from the Confederacy, lured to the offerings of the Church of Echidna. Spartan and General Rivers have vanished and are presumed to have been executed at the hands of their Zealot captors for the murder of the President of Kerberos.

Licking the wounds from multiple bloody engagements, Admiral Jarvis regroups her meagre forces. She desperately needs men and ships for the inevitable battle for Proxima. When she hears rumours of survivors being sold into slavery she sends Commander Anderson and his trusted team to follow a lead that will take them to the fiery planet of Prometheus and its terrible secret. Teresa Morato, refusing to believe Spartan is dead, joins the team in the hope of finding him alive.

The 12-book Star Crusades series includes:
 
STAR CRUSADES UPRISING
Siege of Titan (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 1)
Tears of Kerberos (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 2)
Fires of Prometheus (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 3)
Battle for Proxima (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 4)
Fall of Terra Nova (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 5)
Slaves of Hyperion (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 6)

STAR CRUSADES NEXUS
Legions of Orion (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 1)
Machine Gods (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 2)
Heroes of Helios (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 3)
The Great Betrayal (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 4)
Prophecy of Fire (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 5)
Call to Arms (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 6)
 
These titles are also available as combined trilogies including:
STAR CRUSADES UPRISING: THE FIRST TRILOGY
STAR CRUSADES UPRISING: THE SECOND TRILOGY
STAR CRUSADES NEXUS: THE FIRST TRILOGY
STAR CRUSADES NEXUS: THE SECOND TRILOGY

For more information visit the official Star Crusades website. Keyword Starcrusader.