This neighborhood had front gardens, running rampant with this planet’s successors to civilization. The wildlife population was nonplussed by their human guests. Doors, windows, and vehicles lay in unnatural positions, absent of citizenry. The breeze was fresh and light.

“So the Vedani…” Raev was massaging both his shoulders with his left hand as they walked, “they’d been trying to achieve contact for a couple generations, since before Celeste was Queen. Results ranged from discouraging to horrific – talk to them about it sometime. Many incidents of theft and murder convinced them they were being treated as harvestable. They were left with little choice but to create a channel before they were further aggressed. This allied action was a matter of defense to them, particularly after understanding the more recent experience of the Aureny.”