900 years ago, we launched the probes, hoping to find the light of intelligence in the vast dark.

They were never heard from again ...

In the year 3014, the fledgling Confederation of Colonies must overcome one last barrier to unity: the scourge of the pirate factions.

The crew of the starship Assured find themselves fighting the final pocket of pirate resistance on the verges of human-explored space when the battle is interrupted by a deep space transmission from a long-lost probe.

With the discovery that an alien race are building their own space-faring civilization 260 lightyears away, the human race's petty brawling seems suddenly insignificant.

Humanity's neighbors have extended an invitation. Assured is tasked with meeting them. Only one question remains ...

Will they be friend ... or foe?