The Sword of Orion series is in limbo; we were approached by the editor to write a series within a set line of books and then we worked with the editor to tailor the ideas and book to that line. At last report none of the "book 2" books have been commissioned; our agent hasn't heard anything. That's a grittier, more urban universe than we usually work in and I'd not mind getting on with it -- but it isn't ours to do.