The Petrina Chronicles

Orphaned when her parents vanished in deep space, Petrina dreamed of one day piloting a ship to explore the stars for the Intergalactic Coalition of Planets.

But when she learns that her four-times-great grandfather has been trapped at the edge of a black hole for a century, she knows she has to rescue him. Family is the one missing element in her life, and her grandpa is the only family she has left.
For the rescue, she will need to steal a starship. The one she chooses is home to Selka, an AI who isn’t thrilled with being stolen.

In journeys of adventure, danger and amazement, the youngest pilot in the Coalition Space Force takes on alien life forms from Slithones, snake-like creatures who love causing trouble; to sea-warriors in an underwater world; space pirates; a murderous Tree; lethal asteroids; ghosts inhabiting a derelict freighter; and an emotibomb ferocious enough to destroy a space station.

Whatever the challenge, Petrina and her allies are willing to run risks no one else would dare. Fans of Keith Laumer’s Retief will enjoy the escapades of Petrina and her grandpa.