The Tyrant — Eric Flint; David Drake

THE ONLY TWO WHO COULD SAVE THE PLANET WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES IN A BLOODY WAR!

The crumbling Empire on the north of planet Hafardine's single continent is brutal and corrupt--but if it falls, it will take with it the last glimmer of civilization in the thousand years since the collapse of interstellar communication.

In the south, exiled philosopher Adrian Gellert attempts to forge a new nation while in his mind whisper disembodied intelligences from the stars, bringing with them knowledge of new weapons and the whole sweep of human history. In the Empire itself, Justiciar Demansk wields political and military force with the delicacy of a juggler and the ruthlessness of a street thug.

If either succeeds, it will be through the other's ruin; and if they both fail, Hafardine will sink forever into the Long Night.