They live in a universe of peaceful aliens whose existence has been permanently changed by murderous yumens. The ruthless masters who forced the Athsheans into service now have them at their mercy. The Athsheans forsake their rules against violence out of desperation and turn against their captors. They jeopardise the very foundations of their civilization in the name of safeguarding their lives. Each victory over the invaders represents a setback for the Athsheans' culture. There is no stopping the killing once it begins.