The world of Arlisse, a bright, blue-green orb hanging like a sparkling jewel in the velvet black of space is a paradise. No person suffers from poverty, there is no crime, war is a word that they have not ever heard. Their civilization is technically and culturally advanced-so advanced that they are days away from making their first voyage to the stars-when something happens. Inside, something breaks, and they collectively go crazy. Their spiritual and temporal leader, a man named Omi does his best to stem the tsunami of madness that rips their world apart, but alas he is unsuccessful. One...

The Astari people inhabiting the planet of Garshen are some of the kindest, most generous people the universe has ever spawned. They are trusting, they are open with their knowledge and technology, they are peaceful. They are also about as naive as a bunch of people can get. So they are utterly unprepared for the war that descends upon them, started by their "best friends," the Zachaani. In the first few hours of that deadly assault millions die while cities burn and incredible cultural treasures are either destroyed by the invaders or carried off as booty. And then, the invaders really get...

Every age has its great evil. In the year 2533 it happens to be the slaughter of unwanted children prior to their 17th birthday. They're called Terminates, these unwanted kids, and if their parents feel like the child is too unruly, is interfering with their self-actualization, or is too expensive to raise for whatever reason, or any number of reasons that interfere with the parents' happiness, they can take that child to the nearest Termination clinic and literally sign the kid's life away. Michelle Rufus is one of the doctors who perform the Termination, but she hates her job. She's in it...