The first two novels in the epic sci-fi series from the #1 New York Times–bestselling and Hugo Award–winning author of Star Wars: Thrawn. Decades after the Earth and the Terran Democratic Empire were conquered by the hostile, reptilian Ryqril, one man must find and resurrect the only fighting force that can free humanity . . .   Blackcollar: Resistance member Allen Caine was preparing for the most important mission of his life—until the plan takes a turn and he ends up abandoned on the outpost planet of Plinry. His only hope to salvage the mission and buy time for TDE is to reform the legendary Blackcollars, the genetically enhanced guerilla force famed for their exploits battling the Ryqril. But if he’s going to find them, he will have to become one of them.  The Backlash Mission: After completing his yearlong Blackcollar training, Caine is returning to Earth at the head of an elite squad of warriors to strike at the puppet human government collaborating with the alien Ryqril. The only problem: There is already a strong Blackcollar element on Earth—in the criminal underworld. And Caine doesn’t know if they are going to fight alongside him or against him.   As with his million-copy bestselling Star Wars novels, the Blackcollar series shows once again that Timothy Zahn “is a master of tactics and puts his own edge on complex hard-SF thrillers” (Kevin J. Anderson, New York Time–bestselling author).