ARC-01, Starforce's first deep-space relay center, rises unfinished as war shadows gather around the old lanes. Now, a young Prince Derek must hold the Council of kings together before the darkness strikes again. When a Rift-born monster assaults ARC during construction, Commander Maverick and Starforce fight for survival, only to discover the attack was never meant to destroy the station… but to measure it. As ARC-01 finally is activated, a deeper storm rises beyond the stars, ancient and merciless. “Unity is not inherited,” Derek declares. “It’s built, especially when the galaxy wants it broken.”