A deadly envoy, a brave girl, a crystal ship and an inevitable fate. Rayne dreads the coming of the Crystal Ship and the legendary monster it bears. An Envoy has been here before and destroyed a world, an event almost lost in the mists of time. One man remembers, however, whose life was all but destroyed when he confronted the creature, and who went on to build an empire on blood and tears. The mysterious, masked Shrike saved millions by creating the Slave Empire, and Rayne must have his help if she is to defeat the Envoy and fulfil the prophecy. The task seems impossible, even with the guidance of the ancient AI left behind to guard its sleeping creators. The battle to protect her will bring three galactic empires to the brink of war.