Death has come to visit the last intelligent cultures of the galaxy. With only a few short months to prepare for their opponents, humanity and their allies must race against time to prepare a defense. Their desperate efforts may be for nought as they struggle against the last of the Ghrell, intent on leaving the universe defenseless. Meanwhile, a lone starship returns to a dying world in search of much needed data to defend themselves from the monsters breathing down their necks. As they commence with their mission, they find some things do not die so easily and the defenses of an ancient race may be enough to end their lives.