Set in the very distant future, the story describes the subjugation of a planet that is just beginning to evolve by worlds that have advanced technologically over thousands of years. Old attitudes once again surface when the quest for profit becomes a higher priority than fairness and humanitarianism. Earth companies along with other alien civilizations are reaping the rewards of mining an extremely valuable mineral found nowhere else in the known universe. Other than minor squabbles between the competitors, nothing is done to assist the helpless victims who must toil long hours under harsh conditions to excavate the mineral for their overseers. Only a chance encounter with a vastly superior world offers the indigents an opportunity to achieve parity but the new helpers also have an agenda that may be worse than what the native population presently experience. Eventually, Earth and the other planets face a threat from these ruthless beings that if not stopped can mean the end of human freedom. The battle lines are drawn and a huge conflict ensues between the two forces involving highly incredible weapons systems and dreadnaughts. Initially, the more advanced race has its way but the Earthlings and their allies combine to resist the invasion of the solar system and emerge with humanity continuing to exist. Within this life and death struggle, a love story between two Earth scientist develops that involves great danger to them and another friend as they attempt to block the superior civilization from crushing the humans. Embedded in the story are clashes between armadas of spaceships, descriptions of the enemies of Earth and their lifestyles and an exciting conclusion to the quest for survival that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the last page.