Realizing that Earth rulers all this time had been preparing the ground for the invaders from the System, Ivan makes an attempt to overthrow them. Europe and America flare up in flames. The casualties are monstrous. The loyal to their oath alfacorps and part of the Earth cosmo-fleet defect to the rebels and gather toward the planet. Ivan mobilizes all the remaining power of the Earthlings, because the invasion is supposed to begin any day now. And it begins—but not from where anyone expected…