After decades of war, the Superiority—the galactic alien government determined to oppress humanity at all costs—has finally been defeated. Yet for Defiant Defense Force flightleader Arturo Mendez, freedom isn't what he thought it would be. At first, the assignment seems simple: Arturo, along with the rest of Skyward Flight, are to escort a diplomatic force as they attempt to make contact with a previously-unknown alien world, Blightfall, where recent information suggests that a population of humans might be living. It's an easy mission—get in, guard the diplomats, and get out. But there's a reason the humans on Blightfall have remained isolated for so long. Giant, invasive forests have swallowed up much of the planet. Yet Blightfall's biggest secret isn't what it's hiding, but who. When an old enemy makes a sudden reappearance, Skyward Flight's latest mission risks becoming their most dangerous of all—and Arturo will need every member of his team to get them out safely.