Everson Polk's morning walk was ruined when he stumbled across an alien body. It was no big deal, nothing more than an occupational hazard in his role as a facilitator in the Reconciliation Commission. These things happened. Then celebrity detective Valerity Novak arrived to investigate.
The century-long Fractal War – a battle for supremacy over Fractal Space, an artificial realm created by an ancient and long-lost race – was over. On paper, the Olvin and their Falki partners emerged victorious against the ruthless Ungaleth and Enella. In reality, the war only ended due to an internal Ungaleth uprising, and plenty were unhappy with the outcome. It was up to Earth to maintain the fragile peace.
Earth remained neutral after discovering Fractal Space fifty years earlier amid the conflict. Once peace broke out, they formed the Reconciliation Commission to unite the sides, believing that peace could be maintained only through truth and understanding. To others, it provided the perfect opportunity for revenge.
To Polk's annoyance, Novak intended to take this specific murder seriously. Typically, they were swept under the carpet to keep the peace on track. Worried that Novak had her own agenda, which conflicted with his role as a facilitator, Polk persuaded her to let him continue with the reconciliation session. The war stories each participant told would likely answer all her questions.
It rapidly becomes apparent that the murder was the least of their problems.
The first novel in the Fractal Space trilogy.