Arise

Possibly it's not to save a pair of drowning girls, not go 'viral' on social media and certainly not to let the local police take your passport, trapping you on a small 'party' island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. But Steve isn't the average guy, he's ex-military, ex-enforcer and ex-human. He's a one man nanite fuelled nightmare for those that cross the line, and he's decided that its time to clean up his act. He's going to make up for the things he's done, and save 'the little guys'.

Steve and Ingrid have escaped the clutches of Athena, but Steve is still learning, both about his place in the world, and his capabilities...not to mention those of the creatures that surround him. Ingrid, too, must find her way in the new reality she finds her world has become, and the pair need a plan. Fortunately, Ingrid’s a lot brighter than Steve, and she’s had plenty of time to plan, to observe, and to build up a festering hatred of her "betters". Steve’s going recruiting—and harvesting. Greece is in for a hell of a surprise.

Steve and the team survived the assault on their new home, and their enemies learned a valuable lesson about trespassing… their bodies now help form the very walls his people live within. The Old Ones have agreed to his offer. Steve has a month to get his affairs in order, then he must present himself before the oldest of his kind, and for now? He is to be left alone. As much as Steve has gained, he's lost access to the greatest of his advantages. It's only a matter of time before the edict expires, and unless he presents himself as agreed, it's open season on him and his group.

There's a new player in the great game, and the Elders edicts hold no sway over them… Steve and the team hold the ship, but only for now. The world is swiftly waking to the new reality, the vultures are circling, and keeping the ship looks to be at least as hard as taking it ever was. Time is never on Steve's side, but the knowledge that he agreed to present himself before the only faction he's not at war with and that the Elders have no patience for delays only add to his stress.

Steve and his companions have been offered a chance, the slimmest of hopes, that the UC—whatever that is—will protect the earth. That protection, offered as it is with the full knowledge that it could embroil billions in a new war? It's never going to come cheap. The UC wants something, and it's down to Steve to figure out how to pay that debt or survive without their sheltering hand. The greater galaxy is a harsh place, and in the eyes of those who battle to keep the flame of freedom alive another day, anyone who would give up their freedom to gain a little security?

After being ripped from everything he knew, Steve drifts amongst the shattered remains of dead worlds and civilizations. The vast grave of the ages threatens to consume him as he faces an impossible choice—evolve beyond his limits, or be lost amongst the ruins, like all the other failures. The node is under attack. Meanwhile, the enemy is bearing down on all sides, ready to tear their hard-won prize free. If Steve is going to eke out a chance at survival, he'll have to fight his way home. Not only that, when he gets there, he's going to have to deal with the Ændari's greatest secret.