The Emberling (Books 1-6): A Space Opera Sci-Fi Series by Daniel Young - Kindle Edition

Links takes you to the series. BOOK 7 IS NOT FREE! Use the pull-down on the right to select "First 5", buy then you should be given the option to purchase book 6.

From Book 1:

ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN. OR MAKE ONE UP REALLY QUICKLY.

Slim Taggart has stolen plenty of things in his short life. That's what happens when you come from a family of planet-hopping thieves.

But when he somehow finds himself in possession of a shard from an ancient alien tech known as the Emberling, things start getting hotter than he likes.

Before Taggart knows it, a half-dozen criminal syndicates are on his tail, desperate for the powerful payload.

And that's before he manages to take aboard a motley crew of characters who each openly admit they'd kill for it, too.

Luckily, Taggart has a plan. He always does.

He just hasn't quite figured out what it is yet...