Jason Córdova's Blog

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 15

Coming January 2026 from Baen Books

(Welcome to the Bronze, Tavi!)

Mitzi blushed and ducked her head a few times apologetically, an almost instinctive movement, before looking at Tavi.

“Thanks again for all your help, Legionnaire,” she whispered. She shooed him out of the common room, and he abruptly found himself in the corridor. A quick smile from tthe young assistant and the hatch was shut, leaving him standing with his duffel bag over his shoulder and feeling rather stupid. He c...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 14

Coming January 2026 from Baen BooksCHAPTER TWO To Protect the Weak, Defend the Innocent

PNV PERSEVERANCE, MARS PRIMUS SYSTEM

Protect the weak, defend the innocent. Every single day Tavi did his best to live by that specific part of his Oath. Helping someone was to be expected of any legionnaire. Tavi wasn’t just going to excel at being a legionnaire, but exceed all expectations.

He . . . just wasn’t exactly sure how to do that just yet. Until then, though, he lived the Oath a...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 13

Coming January 2026 everywhere Baen books are sold

As she marched down the corridor, the strap of her bag slipped, and she yanked it back up with an annoyed grimace. Tavi quickly caught up, once again placing himself at her left, and held out his hand.

“I can carry your bag for you, ma’am.”

Campbell shot him an irritated look. “I’ve got it.”

“Boys!” she barked. “I can carry my own shit, thank you very little.”

Tavi stiffened, and she sighed. She’d forgotten how fragile mal...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 12

Coming January 2026 from Baen Books

(who let these pesky civilians on the ship?)

Blue clapped Tavi on the shoulder to break his trance and showed him how to pull down the narrow jump seat and strap in. As soon as he was settled, his gaze went right back outside the cockpit.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Tavi breathed out.

“Lieutenant Eliassen or LT is fine,” she said firmly. When he looked as if he would protest, she added, “You’re one of mine. Fourth Squad flies on my bird, so we’ll be wo...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 11

Coming January 2026 from Baen Books

(Blue earned her mama bear status for a reason)

“Stand up,” she ordered with an impatient gesture.

His expression remained impassive, but a hint of wariness touched his eyes as he swiftly unbuckled his harness. Blue backed into the aisle to give him room to stand. When he rose to his full height, she didn’t even have to tilt her head back to meet his inquisitive stare. They were nearly the same height, though she wagered he had at least one growth...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 10

Coming January 2026 from Baen Books

(Welcome back to the party, Tavi!)

The rattle of reentry broke into her bloodthirsty daydreams and her hands tightened on the seat once more. They’d barely broken orbit over Mars Primus, so why were they dropping back in? More importantly, if they were landing because they needed repairs, would her mother somehow ferret it out and attempt to drag her off the transport?

“What the hell?” she muttered.

Not quietly enough, apparently, because the c...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 9

Coming January 2026 to a bookstore near you!

Blue casually swiped through the messages, but straightened up abruptly when she saw the last one was from her grandfather. She honestly hadn’t expected to hear anything further from the old man, who was notoriously reclusive and somewhat of a luddite when it came to using technology.

grandfather: stay safe out there, sprout. remember, keep your head on a swivel, earn those raven wings, and watch out for your boys.

Blue flexed her shoulde...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 8

Coming January 2026 but you can preorder today!

(in which we discover just why Blue wants to hurry up and get off planet…)

“It’s not just the deployment, it’s the timing,” she growled as she slung her bag over her shoulder again. “I’m going to miss the birth of my godson!”

“You’ll be back soon enough.” Sylvie winced and rubbed a soothing hand across her rounded belly. “And from what I’ve been told, you’re better off missing that part. To be clear, you better make it back.”

Blue r...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 7

CHAPTER ONE

The Hotshot

LAUNCH TERMINAL DIACRIA, MARS PRIMUS

If everything had gone to plan, Lieutenant Astra Eliassen would never have joined the Legion. She never would’ve been a dropship pilot, never been saddled with the callsign “Blue,” never had to catch a transport shuttle and return to active duty after her leave was cut short. No, if everything had gone to plan, she would’ve passed the Survey Corps’ rigorous entrance exam and been accepted into the Explorer ranks like h...

TO TREAD OBSIDIAN SHORES — Snippet 6

(Another short one, but that’s because it’s the end of the prologue. ~Jason)

Coming January 2026

Four men from the group rushed in to attack. Beside him, Diego heard Captain Rhys sigh and mutter under his breath.

“Hot-blooded zealots always have a hard time learning . . .”

The two corporals moved simultaneously. Aires caught a punch from a skinny kid in one hand, and then brought his elbow down violently across the forearm. It snapped audibly and horrible screaming filled the air....