When a desperate attack on the Kilrathi homeworld destroyed the entire planet, with the Emperor and his warlords, the demoralized Kilrathi colony worlds surrendered. After thirty-five years of war, Earth and its own colonies welcomed peace in our time. But the ominous reality was that plenty of independent Kilrathi warlords survived and commanded a formidable array of warships and weaponry. War weary Earth turned a deaf ear to reports of Kilrathi belligerence, preferring to look forward to a tranquil and prosperous future. But it was only the calm before a new storm....

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Humans are truly against the wall! Terran forces are pushed to a last stand by the ever-encroaching Kilrathi hordes. The end seems very near. It is time for desperation measures. Against overwhelming odds, the humans try to launch a last offensive against the Kilrathi homeworld. Once again, humanity’s last best hope is embodied in her flyers. Never before has so much been asked of so few—and now humanity’s existence itself is on the line!