Aallia awoke and stretched her arms, wings, then her legs and lay contentedly listening to the sounds of the day and her children and Melkra talking and laughing.

She lay thinking how rapidly the last twenty years had gone since returning to Syrkan, the beauty, peace, and loving welcoming existence.

Syrkan had faced threats throughout their history and had recovered from the invasion 20 years previously from the Pree.

This time the threat was unlike anything in their existence.

Plantane. The enigma. The efficient ruthless

leader and provider of the transient space residing Grells.

Their horrific tales of planet invasion proceeded them.

They had no home planet. Just endless space in their convoy of spaceships.

And now his desire for the winged beauty and life of Syrkan with their Crystal mountains.

Little was known about the second threat from the Kiokans.

Whispers had been heard of their planet's sun dying and the ships were searching for a new home.

Not to share. To conquer.

War. Was returning for Syrkan.

This time could Syrkan prevail.