Cirrus@Austlit

'Two outcasts. One goal. Stop Earth.

'Earth's Hegemony controls the surrounding alien civilisations with ruthless force. Its aim: dominate the galaxy to protect humanity.

'On Earth, disgraced pilot Rhees Lowrans is thrust into a job she doesn't want. She sees firsthand how the Hegemony will sacrifice anything - including her - to keep Earth safe.

'In the Lenticular, Udun - one of the empathic Kresz - is on a secret mission when he learns of the Hegemony's expansion into nearby space. But his warnings are ignored and the Hegemony invades his world and mutilates any Kresz who oppose them.

'Can these two outsiders stand against the might of the Hegemony? And will the human race survive if they succeed?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Who can a traitor trust?

'Earth's Hegemony has one aim: dominate the galaxy to protect humanity.

'When Earth forces invade Homeworld, they sever Udun's empathic hood almost sending him insane. Unable to find help in the Lenticular, Udun hatches a desperate plan to uncover the Hegemony's weakness.

'Meanwhile, Rhees is offered up as sacrifice by Volmar to the aggressive Maagba in order to seal a deal. She escapes and encounters a powerful alien species determined to stop the Hegemony. But can she trust them? And will she be able to prevent humanity's destruction?'  (Publication summary)

'How far will a traitor go?

'Rhees and Udun's mission to free Homeworld has begun and war with the Hegemony is inevitable. Unsure she can bear the cost in human lives, Rhees desperately seeks a way to help her Lenticular allies while saving humanity.

'Udun is determined to change Kresz society and help the excisees if he can, but other Kresz on Homeworld are far more invested in maintaining the status quo.

'Meanwhile on Earth, Denev plays a deadly game of deception with HDC and SolSec where one wrong move will be his last.'  (Publication summary)