Rear Admiral Lavrov is almost there, or so it may seem. The prototype of the subspace portal has been successfully tested, the hypergate construction program has been approved by the president, and the Earth Federation has a new ally. But the ally is weak, and rather he himself needs protection than he can help people. Time is playing against Lavrov. He understands that the quargs have found an effective means of countering the new weapons of the Federation and are preparing a large-scale offensive. Lavrov has no doubt that the enemy will strike before the hyperportal is built. Despite the severe time trouble and misunderstanding on the part of the top military leadership, he is preparing two operations at once — the defense of the Federation planets and a counter strike.
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