The interstellar empire of the Kthid survives by the conquest and rape of other species. In every ship, thousands upon thousands of women suffer at the hands of the conquerers. And every one of them has a story.
As the cruel parties and festivities of the kthid pulls to a close, it falls to the slaves and others to pick up the pieces.
Under the cruelty of their masters, some can only endure. Others know only how to fight.
With the weight and demands of an empire constantly crushing down on them, most find it impossible to make it through. At least, if they go through it alone.
Selara tries to gather some of her fellow slaves, so that she might help them the same way Anisa helped her. Years of torture and rape have left their mark, however, and things do not go as smoothly as she would like.
When the past is nothing but pain, is it better to forget? Or is it better to defy those who would take it away and hold on tight?
Sky wakes back up in the casteless slums. Meanwhile, on the other side of the vessel, a scheme begins to slowly come together...
As the Empty Night and the Kthid fleet approach the jump point towards Human space, some make plans for the long haul whilst others plot their schemes behind the scenes.
Bonds strengthen between those aboard the Empty Night. They keep the darkness at bay, but caring for others is a weakness as well as a strength, and there are those who know how to take advantage of it...
In the party halls of the Empty Night, the festivities begin.
John Drake's Stories 