Quadrail Series by Timothy Zahn

HUMANITY'S LAST HOPEIt begins when a man delivers a message for former government agent Frank Compton--only to fall dead at his feet. The message is a summons from the Spiders, the exotic and mysterious creatures who run the Quadrail, an incredible transportation system connecting civilizations across the galaxy... moreHUMANITY'S LAST HOPEIt begins when a man delivers a message for former government agent Frank Compton--only to fall dead at his feet. The message is a summons from the Spiders, the exotic and mysterious creatures who run the Quadrail, an incredible transportation system connecting civilizations across the galaxy. The Spiders believe that someone or something is preparing to attack their entire network and the worlds it serves, by smuggling battleships through the Quadrail--something that should be impossible to do. Compton, with the aid of a beautiful but enigmatic agent of the Spiders, is their last hope.Because nobody else has been able to find the elusive enemy who seeks to enslave the entire galaxy…and Earth is its next target. less

Former government agent Frank Compton foiled a plot to enslave the galaxy in Night Train to Rigel. But the Modhri, an ancient telepathically linked intelligence, has walkers, unwilling hosts that can be anywhere, anything…and anyone. And Compton is the only man who knows how to fight them, as they wage a secret war against the galactic civilizations linked by the Quadrail, the only means of intra-galactic transit... moreFormer government agent Frank Compton foiled a plot to enslave the galaxy in Night Train to Rigel. But the Modhri, an ancient telepathically linked intelligence, has walkers, unwilling hosts that can be anywhere, anything…and anyone. And Compton is the only man who knows how to fight them, as they wage a secret war against the galactic civilizations linked by the Quadrail, the only means of intra-galactic transit.Accompanied by Bayta, a woman with strange ties to the robot-like Spiders who run the Quadrail, and dogged by special agent Morse who suspects him of murder, Compton races the Modhri from station to station to acquire a set of valuable sculptures from a long-dead civilization. What the Modhri wants with them is anybody's guess, but if Compton can't outwit it, the whole galaxy will find out the hard way. less

Former government agent Frank Compton can't catch a break. After a successful mission against the Modhri, the coral polyp-based group mind that is attempting to take over the galaxy, Frank arrives at his New York apartment and has to turn away another request. Young Lorelai Beach points his gun at his face, and asks his help to rescue her sister Rebekah 10 from New Tigris planetary settlement. Only four hours later, her head is half-blown off, and Frank is charged with double murder... moreFormer government agent Frank Compton can't catch a break. After a successful mission against the Modhri, the coral polyp-based group mind that is attempting to take over the galaxy, Frank arrives at his New York apartment and has to turn away another request. Young Lorelai Beach points his gun at his face, and asks his help to rescue her sister Rebekah 10 from New Tigris planetary settlement. Only four hours later, her head is half-blown off, and Frank is charged with double murder.Expert spy Bruce McMicking posts his bail and meets him in New Tigris. Frank's partner and friend Bayta is human, but her Chahwyn symbiote donates extra stamina, activates sole artifact disabling kwi weapon and links telepathically to their metal Spider creations that run interspace Tube transit and, unable to fight themselves, secretly help fight against Mohdri. Rebekah has to get out - along with boxes of coral - and reach the hidden outpost of rebel Melding to safety. less

Frank Compton used to be an agent for the security forces of Earth, but that was a piece of cake compared to what he's had to deal with working for the aliens who run the Quadrail, an interstellar transportation system connecting a dozen civilizations across the galaxy. He's been trying to end the domination of an alien lifeform called the Modhri. This enormously powerful creature wants to rule the galaxy by controlling the thoughts of all its citizens... moreFrank Compton used to be an agent for the security forces of Earth, but that was a piece of cake compared to what he's had to deal with working for the aliens who run the Quadrail, an interstellar transportation system connecting a dozen civilizations across the galaxy. He's been trying to end the domination of an alien lifeform called the Modhri. This enormously powerful creature wants to rule the galaxy by controlling the thoughts of all its citizens. It does so by having parts of itself "infect" others on contact, and act as agents for it without them being aware they're being manipulated. When Frank and his assistant Bayta journey to investigate a connection between the Modhri and the Filiaelians, they come up against a conspiracy on the Quadrail. Passengers are being murdered...but something besides murder haunts the Quadrail. A plot is brewing that even the Modhri fears. And once again, Frank and Bayta may be the only ones who can stop it. less

The Quadrail train connects our galaxy, and takes secret warriors Frank Compton, from Earth, and lovely Bayta, to the horse-like alien Fillies' Proteus Station. The Mohdri, a coral group intelligence, controls minds after a scratch. With the rise of the vicious civilization-consuming Shonkla’raa, is he still their enemy, an ally, or a friend?