Mankind's time ended in 2445. Womankind's was just beginning... Humanity not only made it to the stars, but by the year 2445, our species had colonized hundreds of worlds. What nobody expected was the MARS plague. No one knew its origin, but within a decade, the gender-specific virus had killed every human male. Only females survived, saved by advanced genetic engineering. And in the wake of the plague, the warlike Hriss invaded and the First Widows War began. Womankind ultimately won the conflict and the United Sisterhood of Suns was born. Now, a thousand years later, the Sisterhood enjoys the most advanced technology and the highest standard of life in the Far Arm. But an uneasy peace exists between Womankind and its neighbors. It is up to officers like Commander Lilith bin Jeni and her ship the Pallas Athena, to enforce maritime law and defend the frontier against aggressors. Inside the Sisterhood, intrigues brew, and rumors abound. The strangest concerns the Neomen, and the possibility that they might actually serve in combat roles. As any sensible woman knows, this is pure nonsense; men are too emotionally unstable to handle the rigors of combat. History has proven this conclusively.