Book excerpt: Thought to have been defeated in 2301, the Phoenix Empire had actually gone into a cryogenic slumber in retreat from their defeat. In 2477, they began to rise again, and for more than 20 years afterward, their rise to power was going unchallenged at the orders of the President of the Galactic Systems Alliance. It is now the year 2509, and the Terran Armed Services Command, being attacked at every encounter, have decided to retaliate. Can they stop a war from being declared?