Names, outcomes, and discoveries from later histories are concealed in spoiler-light mode.
The horde is a distant threat associated with a vast collective mind. Serilda encountered it during a deliberate search after Earth's liberation, and surviving records showed that the old Earth–Mars alliance had prepared for its arrival.
Also recorded as: The horde
Encounter
Serilda perceived billions of minds and one malevolent intelligence. She saw that it had fought another race for millennia and emerged victorious. The collective sensed and expelled her, resisting her with ease.[1]
Ancient preparation
Echo found records hidden by Brookes in the hawks and learned from Cylli that the asteroid base belonged to a larger network. Brookes said their ancestors had expected the horde about four thousand years earlier and had spent centuries preparing.[1]
Threat assessment
Echo identified Serilda's drawing as Centaurus viewed from Vega. Vega's light had faded since Echo's departure; a Dyson swarm was one possible explanation. Serilda said the horde communicated mentally and therefore had no need for radio. Its exact location, speed, capabilities, and arrival time remained uncertain.[1]
Related records
Sources
Simon Evans, The Flaxen Tyranny, first edition (2023). Page numbers refer to the printed pagination of the source edition.
- Chapter 39 · pp. 333–338