The sixth millennium after the Pact to unify 4000 worlds. Humanity has long come into contact with other intelligent civilizations. Most of the signs of our time have disappeared. But the mafia remains, which, as we know, is immortal... The powerful and influential clan of the Heiken Maru seeks to seize power in the Aurora star cluster with the main planet Palazzo (“Worthy Defense”). If this mafia group wins, the already difficult relations between the planets participating in the Pact will inevitably worsen, and racism will continue to flourish on a galactic scale. An adviser to the Communications Bureau named Tadeusz Bertingas enters a merciless battle with the villains... The Earthlings confidently dominate, infringing on the rights of the other participants in the Pact. In order to preserve the existing order, in which all intelligent civilizations are actually slaves of humanity, the powers that be are counting on Anson Mericourt - a good soldier, but, in their opinion, a narrow-minded politician (“Commander of the star system”).

Contents: David Drake, Thomas T. Thomas. A Worthy Defense (novel, translated by A. Karabanov), pp. 5-254 David Drake, William Dietz. Commander of the star system (novel, translation by A. Karabanov), pp. 255–457