after more than seven decades of negotiation, global reach finally arrives in freestone valley. unified, the nations of planet earth can finally answer the question: are we alone? when baden casteel's cousin, ebony, becomes the latest victim in an abduction case that spans twenty years, he and his family are forced into prominence, risking this international movement. specialist officers zozes and kaze karbroe are ordered to capture these perpetrators, a duty that challenges them when their investigation exposes a dark conspiracy, connecting to a powerful adversary, one that could bring the entire galaxy to its end. "ancient, prepared. so must be you, for it knows no honour, nor will it yield, not even in death." after a century long exodus, the kadra have returned. the struggle between good and evil begins again, and the battleground has been chosen - earth. the time for peace is over.