The colony managed to avoid destruction, but the connection with the Federation was lost, and the competing groups of the ruling elites of the only metropolis of the planet pursue exclusively their own interests. Roy retreated from Brigana's system, but Rich is confident it won't be long. The enemy will not leave alone the planet on which he suffered a humiliating defeat. But Rich still does not have enough political weight, and those who have him completely focused on the struggle for power over the destroyed city, believing that since Roy's enclave on the planet is practically destroyed, then all the worst is over, and now it's time to gamely share the fruits of someone else's victory.