Lyathe was an extremely hot dwarf star in the Hyleitan system that regularly spits flares, fireballs and solar storms into space. It was a constant surprise that life had even evolved on any of the planets. But it had and it had flourished. The second planet from Lyathe had special properties in its soil that protected it and made it possible for the people there to prosper and to eventually learn how to help those on the other planets to prosper as well. These side stories were created in graphic novel form to give quick glimpses into their lives.

Dithann's Ancient Rule – The Zon clan was desperate to reclaim past glory. But should they? Their world was changing, and they were fighting a losing battle against time. Could they stop fighting among themselves long enough to secure their empire?

Silba Eunoa Ree – She gave up one family and started a new one. She didn't know that with that new family, she would be helping to found a new future for their people. All she had to do was convince her newest family member that she could rule their world and then convince the rest of their planet to agree. The problem is ... the Dithann weren't interested in making that easy for them.

From Widow to Warrior – No one thought that they were capable of doing much. They were the widows and orphans that were left to fend for themselves while their men and boys were dragged off to the Dithann's interminable wars. When the latest war pushed them all together in a tight corner ... they decided to fight back. Fortunately, they had people around who didn't discount their abilities and encouraged them to explore their untapped talents. No one was more surprised than they were to find out what they were capable of!

The People of the Sanee – The heel of Kili Pau was a dense mountain range surrounded by a desert on one side and the sea on the other. A hardy and private people watched the wars and travelers that occupied the rest of their planet pass by from the dangerous cliffs and crags of their mountain home. When no one was annoying them, they traveled the desert and traded or visited other areas. When people were annoying them, they assessed whether to allow the irritant sanctuary, hide from them in the heights, or chase them away. Until they found out that others wanted something that they had ... and didn't know they had. And ... to be honest ... they didn't want it. They just wanted to be left alone. And after this discovery ... that wasn't happening.

These four stories tell a bit about the early lives of those that helped to shape the fortunes of those in the Lyathe star's Hyleitan system.