For half a century, the Archipelago has been silent. Alone, out on the galaxy's rim, an eccentric cluster of planets set out to forge a new society, far from the meddling interference of the great interplanetary leagues. Over decades of isolation, the Archipelago became a mostly forgotten legend. Then, out of the blue, they send a message. The leagues are invited to visit. But why? Why now? Ren Markov is a veteran...