In thirty years, the invincible Eqbas will arrive at Earth to forcibly
return the planet to what it once was--as retribution, in part, for the
gethes' thoughtless near-extermination of an alien ocean-dwelling
species. First, however, another world requires their attention: the
crowded, ecologically ravaged planet of the swarming, insect-like
isenj. Efforts to drastically reduce the isenj population have
sparked a devastating civil war--which may well do the
savior/destroyers' work for them. And the human visitors can only watch.
Rendered immortal and ever changeable by a parasite in her blood, ex-cop
Shan Frankland isn't content merely to play Matriarch to her two
similarly infected mates--one earthborn, one alien wess'har. Her fears
for the future of Umeh and the ultimate fate of humankind must be set
aside while she tackles an unfulfilled duty that haunts her every waking
moment--a mission that must be undertaken for the sake of the
future--and pursues a righteous vengeance.