The Craxian Dominion's planet killer weapon had turned humanity's brightest, most prosperous colony into a sea of molten rock. Admiral James Corian stared at the replay again and again his jaw locked so tight it hurt. Warlord Threxus of the Craxian Dominions stood proudly on the bridge of his flagship, watching the replay of New Haven's destruction. The screen flickered to life and admiral Corian's face appeared. Warlord Threxus, Corian said calmly, I want you to understand something.

Just before the fleet activated the gate and alert flashed across their systems, a transmission, encrypted ancient origin, earth. The humans didn't speak, they didn't send warnings. Tor through three crin destroyers before their sensors even registered the impact. Not because they couldn't, but because they didn't need to. Even the council of world, the same council that had once exiled them, reinstated Earth's sovereignty.

Ah, said Ambassador Maria Santos, the human representative, eyeing it carefully. Lieutenant Shen, Maria's security chief scanned the dish in frowned. It's food, Maria said, uncertainly. For Corinthians, yes, Felcax replied apologetically, but for most species, it's less than ideal. It's fine, Maria said calmly.

To them a human would be easy to scare, but Emily didn't slow down. She reached the door, looked directly at the lead juvenile, a male named Thrac, and said two simple words. His companions froze, within seconds all of them stepped aside, perfectly in sync, like soldiers obeying in order from a superior officer. The Kreftock stood at attention until she was gone, then confused they looked at each other. Like my instincts knew something before my mind did.

To them a human would be easy to scare, but Emily didn't slow down. She reached the door, looked directly at the lead juvenile, a male named Thrac, and said two simple words. His companions froze, within seconds all of them stepped aside, perfectly in sync, like soldiers obeying in order from a superior officer. The Kreftock stood at attention until she was gone, then confused they looked at each other. Like my instincts knew something before my mind did.

The colony of New Haven was dying, and first administrator Joreth knew there was no one left who could save them. The distress beacon had been transmitting for six long days, six days of silence while the ravager fleet tightened its blockade around the remote mining outpost. Joreth looked out through the Command Center's viewport at the enemy ships circling the planet like vultures. Later when the shock began to fade and the reality of their survival settled in, Joreth stood by the viewport, watching the retribution patrol the system. High above New Haven, the human warship held its silent guard, and for the first time in many nights, 12,000 souls slept in peace.

Fleet Commander Zorak stood on the grand observation deck of the Dominion's flagship, the Eternal Glory. Almost Zorak's replied, dragging his claws across the control console. Zorak's let out a sound like grinding stone, his version of a laugh. Zorak's narrowed his eyes. Zorak's clicked his mandibles in amusement.

Fleet Commander Zorak stood on the grand observation deck of the Dominion's flagship, the Eternal Glory. Almost Zorak's replied, dragging his claws across the control console. Zorak's let out a sound like grinding stone, his version of a laugh. Zorak's narrowed his eyes. Zorak's clicked his mandibles in amusement.

Admiral Katrina Bailoff stood firmly inside the war room of the UEES retribution. A scientific colony with almost no military presence, a place where terraformers, xenobiologists, and families had been working to shape a new world. They had recorded the destruction of New Haven and broadcasted it across their empire, proudly showing burning settlements and describing the massacre as a cleansing of inferior species. His normally dark skin now pale in action from the weight of what he had confirmed. Katrina had served through three previous wars, but never had she faced an enemy so deliberate in targeting innocence.

Admiral Katrina Bailoff stood firmly inside the war room of the UEES retribution. A scientific colony with almost no military presence, a place where terraformers, xenobiologists, and families had been working to shape a new world. They had recorded the destruction of New Haven and broadcasted it across their empire, proudly showing burning settlements and describing the massacre as a cleansing of inferior species. His normally dark skin now pale in action from the weight of what he had confirmed. Katrina had served through three previous wars, but never had she faced an enemy so deliberate in targeting innocence.