The Fourth Empire — Mack Maloney

The year is 7200 A.D. The Specials have controlled the galaxy with near-immortal power and savage brutality. At the soul of the empire is the militaristic state of Earth -- and one man with the courage to destroy the will of the inhuman oppressors...

For thousands of years, the great forces of the United Planets have been held captive in a barbaric galactic prison -- until liberation by rogue pilot Hawk Hunter and the crew of the starship America. Now only one thing controls the band of brothers -- the need for total war against the mysterious forces behind the Fourth Empire.

Hunter's ingenious scheme for guerilla combat? Strike the Imperial Solar Guard when and where they least expect it. Now, planet by planet, the avenging freedom fighters are bringing the war closer to the Emperor's doorstep -- and closer to bringing the Emperor to his knees. But that's only the beginning. An even greater impasse awaits Hunter and his crew: a billion-year-old secret about the galaxy that the Specials will do anything to protect...