First Strike

Summary

Fast-paced space fleet action fought beyond the range of claws by cold, calculating warriors with nerves of steel.

When massive civilizations clash in interstellar war, nobody expected a prey species with blunt teeth, soft hides, and no natural hunting instincts to be a threat in a galaxy teeming with predators. After all, how could fast breeding, mastery of agricultural logistics, and permanent existential paranoia possibly constitute a military advantage?!

As a rabid species of Grass Eaters rises to the apex of the galactic food chain . . . and begins to ruthlessly exterminate their peaceful predator-origin neighbors, the carnivores could only watch as their proud fleets collapse, one after another, under the overwhelming weight and experience of the psychotic invading enemy.

Some await extinction, others execution. Hopeless.

But out there in the dark, someone else is watching. An undiscovered species, observing the slaughter with great concern, arguing amongst themselves about what to do, even as the frontline inches towards its home. Odd creatures with an unusual diet of both meat and grass.

Humanity must make its choice.