The Raptor teams on route to the Imperial base plan how to destroy the rings. Ian calms the Alliance, and helps strengthen trust. The Tiamat returns to Sol Sector and the battle for Hyperion is next. Ian worked out a trap for Imperial forces with H'joles before leaving High Command. With Alliance forces behind him, Ian jumps out to retake Hyperion. The attack at Hyperion is timed for the attack on the mysterious rings by the Raptors. Both are a success but have a high cost. A mentally unstable Emperor orders Shalo to find the new humans and destroy them utterly. He redoubles the efforts to find the new humans. Janet Lasker foretells a massive battle in which Sol System is destroyed by a massive enemy armada. When the Benesians confirm her vision, Ian begins to prepare Earth for Armageddon.