Upward Bound

Earth lost the war and was conquered without a fight, without even knowing it was at war. The Batract Hyphae came with contracts and promises, but were only interested in humans as a workforce and as mercenaries to hold their vast empire together. Five decades have passed. Humanity’s progress has been stunted; Batract Integration Officers monitor everything — and everyone. Bound for Sirius, the 1st Expeditionary Fleet has been ordered to crush another rebellion against the Hyphae. But beneath its formal orders lies a different purpose: to prepare for Earth’s uprising — and to seek allies among the very species it was sent to destroy. Now humanity must play to its strengths — diplomacy where possible, domination where necessary — to end the threat to its freedom once and for all.