A.D. 3596

Descendants of those who fled our galaxy during the great Xathen Civil War have returned, bearing the Message of the Grand Designer.

All who receive His Message will believe, and all will become One.

Or, more likely, dead.

Strathow, a colony world inhabited by Xathen religious Ascetics, has been decimated.

A rescue ship disappears after the crew are slaughtered by the survivors they had come to save.

The galaxy as we know it is in grave peril, but few believe that the Returning Xathen represent a serious threat towards the Xathen of this galaxy.

Instead, the Xathen Galactic Committee is preparing to welcome the Returning Xathen with open arms, despite Taylor’s warning.

Because Xathen are Xathen under the eyes of the Grand Designer, after all.