Publisher's Synopsis
Neither the Alliance or the Six Tribes will reveal the locations of their worlds. But everyone knows where Earth is located. It is logical that the peace negotiations continue at Earth Station Rama. But after two decades things are not going well. An Alliance general, Zeta Prime, has gone rogue. He is launching attacks from a secret production base. As long as the attacks continue a final peace deal will not be realized.The former Zeta Prime captains Azaraht and Hisserzaht have joined the hunt along with Alliance and Third Union forces. NASA SI is coordinating all of Earth's assets to help the search. But it will not be easy. The galaxy is very, very big.The more paranoid among the Six Tribes believe that the Alliance is stalling for time to rebuild their production capability after Shurri destroyed two of their bases. They fear that the Alliance will restart the war in earnest once they have rebuilt their prime production facilities.The three races of the Alliance are nervous. They lost billions in the last Great War. They fear the Six Tribes are preparing for an all-out attack. The Alliance has faced genocide before. They feel more than justified to be extremely cautious.Humans are also nervous. Earth is the only place where each side knows the other has forces. If war erupts it could start at Earth. Collateral damage could go beyond our few space assets to Earth itself. And Zeta Prime may be tempted to attack Earth to disrupt the peace negotiations. Parallel to the peace talks trade negotiations are going on as well. There are serious disagreements. Humans accuse the aliens of stealing intellectual property, mostly music and movies, from our internet without paying royalties. We are however paying royalties for alien patents. The aliens are using those payments to buy up the entire wine output of Earth. Who knew aliens would love wine? And who introduced aliens to patent lawyers in the first place? Peace and a comprehensive trade deal might eventually be achieved but first Zeta Prime must be found and stopped.
