Just as humanity has all but given up, they're contacted by The Collective. 

The Collective is a large group of intergalactic representatives of different alien species. They have been watching humanity for some time, hoping that they would not have to intervene. However, the situation is dire.

King Ragar, leader of The Collective and monarch of the race of creatures known as Vesunians takes pity on humanity and offers an incredible deal. The Vesunians have a mysterious clean energy source that they have used to help not only their planet, but the entire Universe at large. They offer it to every race of creature that pledges itself to The Collective.

There's just one stipulation. Humanity must join The Collective and pledge fealty to King Ragar. 

Humanity refuses, intent on fixing their problems themselves. Subjecting themselves to another race of creatures is going too far. 

This leads to years and years of strained relations between humanity and The Collective. In the year 3000, Princess Byrat of the Vesunians attempts to heal relationships between the two races with a visit to Mars. However, things come to a head when her party is intercepted midway and killed by human energy extremists.

Her brother, King Herwat, is stricken by grief and completely abandons his people's ways of peace in order to declare war on humanity.

And this is where we find our story today, in my upcoming novel. Learn more about the characters and the galaxies where our characters are from!