In thirty years, the invincible Eqbas will arrive at Earth to forcibly return the planet to what it once was&#8212as retribution, in part, for the gethes' thoughtless near-extermination of an alien ocean-dwelling species. First, however, another world requires their attention: the crowded, ecologically ravaged planet of the swarming, insect-like isenj. Efforts to drastically reduce the isenj population have sparked a devastating civil war&#8212which may well do the savior/destroyers' work for them. And the human visitors can only watch.Rendered immortal and ever changeable by a parasite in her blood, ex-cop Shan Frankland isn't content merely to play Matriarch to her two similarly infected mates&#8212one earthborn, one alien wess'har. Her fears for the future of Umeh and the ultimate fate of humankind must be set aside while she tackles an unfulfilled duty that haunts her every waking moment&#8212a mission that must be undertaken for the sake of the future&#8212and pursues a righteous vengeance.