King David's Spaceship

Set in the far future world of humanity's intergalactic Second Empire, Colonel Nathan MacKinnie, mercenary and former rising star in the Empire's Navy, is given a secret – and dangerous – assignment by the governor of his home planet Prince Samual's World.  MacKinnie is to accompany the Empire's Navy ship on a routine trip to the technologically backward planet Makassar and return with some carefully guarded documents that may contain instructions on building a spaceship (technology forbidden by the Empire to Prince Samual's World).
 
MacKinnie undertakes this mission of deception and danger to Makassar, with many unexpected consequences.  This novel is set in the same universe and approximate time frame as THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE.