As humanity rebuilds and explores the first 100 light years distance from the Dark Earth, they run into hostile territory. Emissaries are dispatched to learn, to spy, and to do what humans do best; to spread beliefs, ferment revolution, and topple empires.

Embedded within exotic cultures, and dealing with creatures of extreme violence, serene peace, and high intelligence, humans learn about themselves and recognise the enormous responsibility that rests upon their shoulders.

Some of the Emissaries are gentle and empathetic, demonstrating and extending best of humanity, and others are agents of war and destruction, and increasingly less human.