Humanity has established a foothold on their new home, but they’re far from settled. The Cavers continue to be a massive problem, their numbers seem endless regardless of how much firepower they throw at them. A discovery may hold the key to taking care of them once and for all, a secret to their heritage hidden somewhere on the planet. If it can be found. The colony is not the only problem. Captain David Warwick’s ship has been assigned to negotiate with the newly discovered Bhalas race. They hope to establish an alliance, friendship in that distant part of the galaxy. But when another culture’s outpost falls under attack, the Daedalus makes a detour to help. Their success or failure may establish a friendship with a powerful culture in the region. Or they could wind up with another enemy even more powerful than the raiding Ghrell.