Synopsis: Earth's savior or harbinger of doom? Centuries ago, Earth was decimated by an asteriod, leaving survivors long dependent on the charity of the alien Commonwealth... until now. It is time for repopulation - and Humanity's inspiration is Captain Rieka Degahv, bestowed with the galaxy's greatest honor. But the role of Earth Herald carries great responsibility... and even greater danger. In the rebuilt human cities, interplanetary commerce has begun. An old world is at the dawn of a new beginning. But Earth's rebirth has unsettled the balance of power in the universe, disturbing the galaxy's most omnipotent forces. And some of them are unhappy enough to take action - against Earth, against Humanity, and against Rieka herself, who has put everything at stake to bring a dying planet back to life... (from the back cover of the Roc Books first edition)