Synopsis: Three centuries ago, the Earth was abandoned - and the Stellar Collective was formed. Now their deathbirds do the dirty work - an intergalactic kamikaze fighting force made up of criminals sentenced to die for their offenses against the State and Nature. But for the 50 percent who survive the training, the reprieve is merely temporary. For this time their mission is to a distant, primitive planet outside Realized Space that stands in the way of the Universal Will. The planet must be subjugated, completely and for all time. (adapted rom the back cover of the first edition)