The tyranny of the Zwengs—rulers of an intergalactic alliance of sentient races—diligently creates an illusion of security and order in the worlds of the alliance, maintaining it with fear of the armadas of warships belonging to their merciless servants, the Melkees. Dissenters were destroyed or thrown into the abyss of chaos, plunging entire civilizations to the brink of oblivion. Fear rules the alliance of sentient races! Only the Seyme-с—intelligent crystals living on the outskirts of the universe—could be safe. They are alien to emotions, intrigues, and power; only logic and expediency guide them as they come to know the universe. But one wrong decision changed everything—completely and forever!