Protector

For 32,000 years, Phssthpok the Pak has journeyed across the cosmos, driven by a singular, imperative mission: to locate, cultivate, and safeguard a remote colony of 'breeders' dispatched into space two and a half million years ago. His ancient species, the Pak, are known for their extreme life stages, particularly the 'Protector' phase, where they dedicate their existence to the survival and advancement of their kin. Unbeknownst to humanity, Earth itself is one such colony. Enter Brennan, a fiercely independent and anarchic 'Belter' – a human born and raised in the asteroid belt, far from Earth's rigid societies. A rebel and smuggler by trade, Brennan operates on the fringes of civilization. When the Belter worlds detect an enigmatic alien vessel, Brennan, ever the opportunist, maneuvers to be the first to make contact. This fateful encounter with Phssthpok unravels a terrifying truth about humanity's origins and destiny, forcing Brennan into an unimaginable transformation. As the veil is lifted on Earth's true heritage and its unwitting role in a galactic struggle for survival, Brennan's very humanity is challenged, leading to consequences that echo across millennia.