Belarus — Emily Devenport

It is a planet ripe for a new vision - of a glorious past. For Andrei Mironenko, a powerful and charismatic magnate in the galactic Republic, it is the fulfillment of his dream. As the honorary Tsar of Belarus, Mironenko will resurrect the glory of an imperial Russia that once was - and could have been. He believes it to be uninhabited and unspoiled. But floating in orbit around this supposedly pristine planet are strange artifacts, evidence of an ancient civilization. To Mironenko, blinded by glory, they prove nothing, they arouse no suspicion, and they pose no threat. But he isn't digging deep enough. Unbeknownst to Mironenko and the people of Belarus, the builders of the mysterious artifacts are not extinct - merely in hiding. And they are a species without mercy. Cruelty is their highest art form, intricate steps in a brutal Dance. And what better creatures to dance with than their uninvited guests?When night falls on Belarus, so will the human race.