Humanity's return looms on the horizon, but the Confederacy of Aligned Systems teeters on collapse. Ravaged by relentless conflict and surrounded by countless adversaries, this once-mighty alliance struggles to protect its dwindling member states. As fresh threats emerge from the shadows, the question becomes urgent: will the Confederacy survive long enough for the Terrans to arrive and turn the tide? A sprawling sci-fi saga of action and adventure set in a universe where alliances crumble and survival hangs by a thread. Follow the desperate struggle as humanity's reemergence becomes the last hope for a civilization fighting to endure. (Sequel to First Contact/Behold Humanity and Dark Ages. Reading prior installments strongly recommended.)