Twelve centuries ago, the War of Those Who Came After died down. With the help of the Creator Center, the legendary Ancient Thirteenth forever stopped the bloodshed in all galaxies of our segment of the Universe, locking the warring parties in their living spaces. Now the Commonwealth of Man has no armed forces and enjoys peace and prosperity, improving science, art and intellect. No one has long believed that humanity will ever again face an external threat. But the Sacred Tablet of the Riul race says: the mysterious Enemies of the Creators, to fight which the powerful Children of Viki, the warrior race Merkhn, were once created, have not been destroyed. They still lurk in the depths of space, overwhelmed by the thirst for the destruction of any form of life. What will happen to the Human Union if the barriers between civilizations one day collapse?