In the near future, Earth becomes caught in the middle of an extraterrestrial turf war when the human species finds itself hopelessly entangled in a race between two alien species—the Octans and the Jubans—to colonize the galaxy. At a time when Earth’s resources are stretched beyond their limits, the Octans, a seemingly benevolent species, offer Earth advanced technology to help resolve its food and energy crises if they will help in the colonization of distant planets. The Octans also promise to provide the colonists with their basic needs in order to thrive on their new home worlds—food, clothing and shelter. Planning expert Mike Silver shocks his family and friends by joining a colony destined for the supposedly uninhabited planet Kepler 14b. He steps up and is quickly elected city planner—only to find himself appointed mayor right before the colonists leave Earth. Unknown to either the Octans or the humans, a clandestine team of the competing alien species—the Jubans—is sent to Earth to disrupt the formation of the human colonies. The new colonists quickly learn that their uninhabited home is anything but. Kepler is full of countless new and strange animals and several cave-dwelling tribes. The colonists struggle to adapt, but just as the colony appears successful, Mike’s abilities are further tested. He must assume multiple roles as an Octan ambassador, justice, and even sheriff to help resolve problems that are threatening the very survival of the far-flung human colonies. When both the Octans and the Jubans lay claim to the same colony, Mike must step up his game like never before as he now represents Earth in negotiations to prevent a resumption of hostilities between the two alien species.
Aliens are usually presented as menacing. What if an alien species was primarily interested in learning about life on planets and humans in particular when they encounter another species intent on colonizing as many worlds as possible, including Earth. After a brief war, a truce equivalent to about 100 years is established during which each species can colonize as many planets as possible without interference.
The benevolent species is old and needs to recruit humans to colonize their chosen planets. They offer advanced technology to a resource-starved Earth in exchange for humans willing to colonize unknown planets. A dome city has been built by robot constructors on each designated world, and city planner Mike Silver volunteers for one colony and is elected city planner. This is the 25th group to complete all skill and manpower requirements needed to colonize a new planet and consists of 40,000 colonists.
Unknown to the future human colonists, the other alien species secretly sent a team of saboteurs to Earth to disrupt the formation of as many colonies as possible. Shortly before they leave, the newly elected mayor of the 25th colony dies in a suspicious manner and Mike Silver is appointed mayor until new elections can be held on the new planet.
The new planet is supposed to be uninhabited but is full of animals that could be deemed as dangerous as dinosaurs. Later they encounter cave dwellers that were missed in the initial surveys of the planet.
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