The human race, the new kids on the block which contains over 100 older spacefaring alien species, struggle to leverage the few advantages they have to strengthen their position and influence in a largely uncaring but sometimes unfriendly galaxy. The Domain with thirty planets and inevitable internal conflicts, needs to show a united, outward looking face to the assembled aliens at the galactic Conclave. This is the third book in the Domain series featuring Pieter Oates, among others.