Metamorph: The Outbounder Chronicles

The deep space prospectors take the risk. The mighty Pendra Consortium reaps the profits. Thats the way it is on the Hub, a crossroads to distant planets and limitless opportunity. When two alien visitors hire the prospector ship Nefer to find a long-lost migrant vessel, the crew uncovers secrets buried deep in Pendras history that now threaten to destroy the humans who have made new homes on distant planets. Pendra agent Laryn Ash, assigned to the expedition, discovers distant worlds far more alien and dangerous than the patrons who brought them there, and she soon wonders on whose side she is fighting. By the author of The Targon Tales.