In the fifth installment of the Core series, Azrom, Razzna, and New Lassa form an alliance to create a superpower. The Dreridians, not willing to have their reign disrupted, add themselves to the list. The enemy continues their sneak attacks across the five solar systems, disrupting trade. When they hit the neutral zone and steal two planet bombs, every empire joins forces to send them back from where they came. Outsiders need permission to play with the big guns. And they didn't ask.