Running On Empty — Bill Blais

In 2136, humanity makes its first proven alien contact. In 2137, James Herrick is framed for killing it.

Herrick is a small-time criminal with a streak of bad luck and an attitude to match. Past his prime, he depends on biomechanical upgrades to give him an edge, but upgrades are expensive -- even on the lax-lawed planet of Gidae -- and he's already dodging his mechanic's enforcers when he gets framed for killing the alien.

Now, Herrick must outrun not just the enforcers, but the local police and the intergalactic military, not to mention whoever framed him in the first place. His only hope is a do-gooder scientist who believes the alien is still alive and who must gamble on Herrick having a conscience after all.

Herrick couldn't care less about aliens, intergalactic politics or even doing the right thing, but to save his own skin he'll have to make an exception.