Crest of the Stars

Jinto recalls that day when the alien race, the Abh, invaded his home planet. Now a teen, he must go to Military School where he will finally meet an Abh.

It has been seven years since the alien invasion of his home planet of Martine, and Jinto Lin is now on Delktoe, where he has just completed his education at an Abh school and is awaiting his next assignment, military training in the empire's capital. A deal struck by his president father left the elder Lin in charge of Martine and Jinto an Abh prince. The burden of royalty is an uneasy one for Jinto, who is unaccustomed to the stares his Abh uniform attracts. His friends also find it difficult dealing with nobility. Just one, Dorin Ku, shows up to see him off at the spaceport. Before walking away, Ku leaves Jinto with a gift, a baseball signed by all of his absent friends. The ball comes in handy a short while later when a young thief steals a traveler's luggage, but it's not because of Jinto's less-than-impeccable aim. Rather, it's Lafiel, his beautiful Abh escort, who stops the crime. But she's greeted with hatred despite her good deed. Is this the type of life awaiting Jinto? If so

Jinto Lin has finally met his first Abh, and perhaps the only thing more noticeable than Lafiel's beauty is her piloting skills. Jinto, on the other hand, is in for a rocky military career if this first flight is any indication. Even less uncomfortable than the trip to the vessel that will transport him to the Abh capital is the reception that awaits him once on board. Jinto is obviously unaccustomed to the fanfare that greets him, and is thrown for a loop when he learns Lafiel's true identity. He's not quite sure how to handle himself around a princess, which temporarily complicates the budding friendship. Friendship, however, may not be the only thing on Jinto's mind, as they quickly settle their differences and end up in his room discussing where Abh babies come from! Any possibility for a future romance will be put on hold indefinitely, though, by the long war that's about to begin.

Despite the Humankind Empire Abh's dominance over the universe, not everyone is under its control. Four groups still remain free, and they've put aside the past differences between them by signing a treaty, the primary goal of which is to combat their common sworn enemy. Unfortunately for Jinto Lin, one of the four independent nations, the United Mankind, has chosen this particular time to take aggressive action. His military career cannot start before his training does, however, and he is ordered off the ship as a noncombatant. It is up to Lafiel to transport him to safety and warn the empire of the impending attack. The two manage to escape from the Abh ship before the United Mankind forces arrive, but what will become of the crew they've left behind to face seemingly insurmountable odds?

While on their way to the Abh capital to bring Jinto Lin to his military training, the captain and crew of the patrol ship Gosroth detect the presence of warships that they suspect belong to the United Mankind, an enemy opposed to Abh control of the universe. Jinto and Lafiel, as noncombatants, are ordered off the Gosroth by Captain Lexshue, but not before the Abh princess is severely reprimanded for questioning those instructions. Lafiel would rather stay and fight, but Lexshue -- realizing the future importance of her stubborn protegee -- will hear nothing of it. The mood aboard Jinto and Lafiel's escape vessel is a somber one, as she laments her uselessness to the mission. Jinto does his best to cheer her up, but his efforts are futile. Still, Lafiel is better off exactly where she is, as the Gosroth, after attempting to escape, is finally caught by the United Mankind forces. Will they manage to escape? Lafiel certainly hopes so, because she has a unique relationship with the ship's

With the Gosroth destroyed, the United Mankind is free to continue its path toward the planet of Sufugnoff. The Abhs did, however, fight ferociously until the end, letting Jinto and Lafiel gain a large lead over the enemy fleet in the race toward Abh territory. Little do they know, but that lead will shrink significantly thanks to what was originally intended to be a very short layover for refueling in the Baron Febdash territory. Lafiel is quite uncomfortable with the excessive attention she receives from the baron's scantily clad vassals -- as well as with the lack of respect given to Jinto -- and seeks to leave immediately. Right on cue, Baron Febdash appears on a video screen, apologizing to Lafiel that his space station lacks the fuel her ship requires. Furthermore, he informs her that the vessel is in need of repair. Doubting the truthfulness of both statements, Lafiel is left wondering why Febdash seems to be trying to prevent Jinto and her from leaving. The intrigue only deepen

Captain Lafiel commands her crew of four (including secretary Jinto Lin) as her battleship fiercely dogfights against an enemy in space. Despite her best efforts, a devastating blast cripples her ship. Systems fail one by one. With nowhere to run, the ship is destroyed. The scene goes black and the screen reveals that the battle simulation is over. Lafiel, visibly disappointed by her performance, leaves her other crew members. The other crew members urge Jinto to cheer her up. Jinto argues that treating her like a child might make her angry, and that an angry Abh is no better than a depressed Abh. He says they're reading too much into her reaction, but he agrees to talk to her. It has been three years since the events of Crest of the Stars. When they talk, we see that both have grown up some. Lafiel is taking on important responsibilities as an actual ship captain. Jinto is more self-assured and frank (though Lafiel calls this ""being full of himself""). The bond between them will be a p

The Abh Empire launches Operation Phantom Flame, the reorganization of its Star Forces in order to go back into battle. Admiral Spoor, "The Lady of Chaos", leads the 1st Abh Fleet in the first strike. Her target: a United Mankind mobile command fortress above the planet Aptic III. Spoor's forces obliterate the fortress. Bored with the easy win, Spoor ignores the president of Aptic III's challenges that his people will keep fighting. The shocked president soon learns, through Spoor, how all Abhs are not alike. Meanwhile, Admiral Kenesh, the chief of staff of Operation Phatom Flame, discusses the Abh strategy with his staff. Spoor will advance the 1st Fleet and capture the enemy's major gates, with the 3rd and 5th following as a supply line. The 2nd and 4th Fleets will move in a pincer movement around the 1st Fleet's path, sweeping up any enemies in their path. Above the planet Lulukess, Abh ships continue to assemble. Waiting for their orders, Jinto and his crewmates Samson and Ekuryua

Assigned to Battleship Squadron Latouche, Lafiel's assault ship Basroil patrols the conquered Aptic System. The forward push by Abh forces has gone so well that the Abh leaders worry that something's not right. Could a trap be set for them? Jinto and Lafiel discuss the odd situation of Hecto-Commander Atosuryua being the commander of their battalion. Three years ago, as chronicled in Crest of the Stars, Lafiel killed Atosuryua's older brother, the treacherous and insane Baron Febdash. Lafiel insists that Atosuryua is beyond making that an issue, but Jinto isn't so sure. Later, on the bridge, Ekuryua makes a case for letting Jinto's cat, Diaho, stay on the ship. Meanwhile the president of Aptic tries to work out a compromise in which the Ahb will demand his surrender, as he wants to put on a show of fake defiance for his voters. Atosuryua meets Jinto to talk about her father and brother. The conversation seems strained, but she tells Jinto to relay the message to Lafiel that she, Atosur

The Basroil destroys the first set of mines sent its way. The Abh assault ships aim to hunt down the enemy scouts one by one, like hungry predators. This sadly reminds Jinto and Lafiel of the fate of the Gosroth in CotS. They talk about their fear of the upcoming battle. The enemy shoots out more mines. The mines barely miss the Basroil, but they do enter and explode within the space-time bubble of the last ship in their squadron. Weighted down by the remains of the mines, it will have to stay out of the battle. Lafiel realizes she is no longer afraid, and she wonders if that's why Jinto joined the ship -- so he could calm her. They break into the enemy's space-time bubble just in time to see an ally's ship be destroyed. Lafiel fires at the enemy. The laser hits, but does little damage. Another Abh ship goes down. The enemy's cannons focus on the Basroil. They'll have to be quick to survive!

The Basroil is in spacedock being repaired, and the crew are stocking up on supplies. Dusanyu, with the new information he has received, decides that the main battle will be held in the area surrounding the Aptic Gate. He appoints Admiral Bebaus' fleet in charge of defending the region. But the Bebaus brothers come from a family known for ""Spectacular Insanity,"" and everyone wonders if this will spell their doom. Meanwhile, as Jinto and Ekuryua are having a rather personal discussion, Lafiel comes into the room at precisely the wrong time and sees something that makes her very angry. Will Jinto be able to save face? And what are the Bebaus brothers planning?

At Atosuryua's request, Jinto and Lafiel join her for a dinner in honor of her late brother, Klowal. In a break from the wartime activity, Jinto and Lafiel don formal attire and fly off to the ritzy dinner Atosuryua has arranged. Indeed, this is the closest they've had to a date, but it's going to be a strange one. The dinner proves to start awkwardly since Lafiel is responsible for Klowal's death, and she doesn't really regret it. Will Atosuryua and Lafiel come to a reconciliation?

Lafiel and Jinto are given their roles as Territorial Ambassador and Territorial Deputy Ambassador and aren't exactly happy about it.

The Basroil is contacted by all four ambassadors of Lobnas II: Meideen, Dokufu, Lala Shangal, and Angus. Jinto is escorted down to Lobnas II after determining that Meideen should be the Territorial Representative. Lafiel reminisces about the last conversation she had with Jinto before his departure.

Plans for emigration are made. Some plans include whether or not the Territorial Ambassador should bring in more ships or if the Darksis (the ship transporting the inhabitants) should make more trips back and forth. The women's sector is rallying for emigration rights so they won't be used as 'cattle' so to speak from the male prisoners.

All the ships in the surrounding area around Lobnas II have to retreat because of an enemy sighting while Jinto is having problems reassuring Meideen and the rest of the evacuees that they will return in order to continue emigrating those with permission off the planet. While enjoying a sunset and thinking of Lafiel, Jinto receives a message that a rebellion has broken out.

As the rebellion continues, started by Angus and Dokufu, Dokufu's section is able to take control of the administration section. Meideen authorizes an immediate evacuation of the Western section (the women's section). Jinto decides to stay on the planet to ensure that all the Western section inhabitants are safely evacuated. While traveling to the Western section, Meideen and Jinto's vehicle is hi-jacked.

Meideen is shot in the head and killed execution style because he refused to cancel the emigration order. Angus is threatened to be put in Abh Hell for his threatening a fellow Abh's life (Jinto). Against Lafiel's heart's wishes, being an Abriel, Lafiel is forced to abandon Jinto on Lobnas II for the time being.