Caine Riordan, reluctant diplomatic and military intelligence operative,
has just finished playing his part repulsing the Arat Kur's and
Hkh'Rkh's joint invasion of Earth. But scant hours after the attackers
surrender, the mysterious but potentially helpful Slaasriithi appeal to
Caine to shepherd a diplomatic mission on a visit to their very alien
worlds. The possible prize: a crucial alliance in a universe where the
fledgling Consolidated Terran Republic has very few friends. But Caine
and his legation aren't the only ones journeying into the unknown
reaches of Slaasriithi space. A group of renegade K'tor are following
them, intending to destroy humanity's hopes for a quick alliance. And
that means finding and killing Caine Riordan. Assuming that the bizarre
and dangerous Slaasriithi lifeforms don't do it first.