Hilldiggers

They have extraordinary power and aren't afraid to use it...

Two planets in the same solar system are locked in war when some kind of cosmic super-string is discovered. It seems packed with alien technology or perhaps even life. For safety, it is stored—in four segments—within a maximum-security space station. A female research scientist falls pregnant on the station soon after and gives birth to quadruplets. Then she commits suicide. But why?

By the war's end, one planet is devastated after falling victim to the other's incredible hilldigger weaponry—so named as their blasts create mountains. Meanwhile, the quads have reached adulthood and are gaining power in post-war society. One of them has his sights set on claiming the hilldiggers and their power for himself. But with what consequences for humanity?

Hilldiggers is a fast-paced standalone, following events in Neal Asher's Spatterjay trilogy.