Twenty-five years after the Kashari War.
Chen Wei stood on Mars. First human colony beyond Earth. Three million people living in biodomes. Thriving. Building. Growing. His daughter Lin Mei governed it. First beyond-transcendent planetary leader. She had evolved to 107%. Surpassed even him.
"Father," she approached. Thirty-eight years old now. Beautiful. Powerful. Wise beyond her years. "The Andromeda delegation is arriving. Representatives from the Kashari and five other species. They want to discuss formal alliance. Trade. Cultural exchange. Peace."
"The Kashari want alliance? After we defeated them?"
"That was twenty-five years ago. New generation leads them. They studied what happened. Realized we were not aggressors. Just defended ourselves. They respect that. Want partnership not
