Book excerpt: Humans and Asterians construct a huge starship, Andromeda, and set out on a voyage of discovery to the Cold Spot in the Cosmic Microwave Background—first stop, the star RAN in the constellation Eridanus. They discover an incipient space-faring civilization that has hidden itself from the rest of the galaxy. The Third Oort Chronicle centers on efforts to replace these destructive reptilian tyrants with fair-minded leaders within an interstellar system. Oort Federation Chairman John Butler and lizard leaders of the planet Arcan seek to oust Ceffid’s leader, Bopr Arclando. The same applies to Lieutenant Dombit, who cleverly strategizes against General Klarot of The Geroptic Nation. With such vast differences between species, will achieving interstellar peace even prove possible—and at what price!