The year is <b>2454</b>. Three centuries of peace and a hard-won golden age have come to an <b>abrupt end</b>. The once steadfast leadership of the seven Hives is crumbling, soured by <b>corruption and deception</b>. Savagery and bloodlust, three-centuries suppressed, have been unleashed. The <b>terrible truth</b> is that centuries of peace were bought with a trickle of secret murders. The killings were mathematically planned, meticulously organised to preserve the balance ¿ to ensure no faction could dominate. But now the <b>secret is out</b>, the balance has tipped, the Hives'' utopian fa¿e has slipped. Just days ago, humanity stood at the pinnacle of civilization. Now everyone ¿ Hives and Hiveless, Utopians and sensayers, emperors and convicts, warriors and saints ¿ is <b>preparing for war</b>.