Shattered Nexus - Ken Lozito

A desperate mission to return Aczar refugees to their distant homeworld spirals into something far deadlier. Freed from their underground exile, the Aczar wield orbital weapons that could challenge the colonial fleet. Their revolution has liberated their species from ancient manipulation, but the refugees are branded traitors for siding with outsiders. As diplomacy crumbles, Major Ethan Gates traces mysterious signals to a forgotten relic adrift in the void. What lies hidden could shatter everything humanity believes about their greatest enemy. In uncharted space, forgotten wars echo through the darkness. First contact may bring salvation—or herald annihilation.