The first meeting of a man and a tree cat. Stephanie Harrington hates her confinement in the family estate on the developed planet Sphinx, on the border with the wild lands full of dangerous native animals that can easily tear a person to pieces. However, Stephanie is still young and wants to make discoveries - and the biggest discovery awaits her: an intelligent alien creature. Tree cats resemble a cross between a lynx and a lemur (but with six legs and many deadly claws). But not only are they intelligent, they are also telepathic and are able to form bonds with gifted people, such as the genetically enhanced Stephanie. But as Stephanie discovers, her first-of-a-kind relationship with a tree cat leads to rapidly approaching danger. Many high-ranking enemies are putting galactic-sized wealth at stake to ensure that the planet Sphinx remains in human hands - even if it means the destruction of another sentient species. Stephanie and Lionheart are about to face the greatest test two alien beings can face together: how to survive first contact and conquer a future of freedom and justice for all! The first novel in a new YA series in the wildly popular saga—a multiple New York Times bestseller and USA Today - Honor Harrington. Young Stephanie Harrington is none other than the founder of a dynasty that is destined to lead the fight for the freedom of mankind amid the dangers of the galaxy. The text of the first part has been verified with D. L. Gorbachev’s translation of the original story.