From C.J. Cherryh one of science fictions greatest writers and a 3time Hugo Award Best Novel winner comes the exciting and longawaited followup to Hammerfall the second novel of the Gene Wars now in mass market. In the second volume of The Gene Wars C. J. Cherryh further explores the captivating new universe where two interstellar empires scarred by nanotechnology weaponry hover in an uneasy detente. Perched at the edge of the galaxy tiny Concord Station holds the balance of the universe within its carefully regulated worlds. For created to carefully monitor the crucial desert planet below it lies in the tenuous intersection between the territories of Earth and the alien Ondat. Marak Trin Tain has saved a planets people from total destruction when the implacable ondat sent down a hammerfall to destroy the planet and keep its deadly nanoceles from changing life and evolution forever. But the regrowing planet is fragile and a deadly cataclysm could destroy Marakand with him the hope for peace within the universe. Meanwhile on Concord an unexpected ship from Earth disrupts the uneasy truces between human and alien and the consequences could restart the terrible Gene Wars that once destroyed most of humanity.