The First Day - Peter Irvine

In the 28th century, the known Universe is dominated by the Alliance of Galactic Republics. A cosmopolitan civilization of over a thousand alien species, including humanity, working together to create a better Universe. Its undefeated military forces maintained the peace and freedom they had created. While on mission to eradicate pirates in the Tyrenean asteroid field, the Alliance battlecruiser, Vanguard, responds to a distress call that will lead to a terrible battle, that threatens to cast the known Universe into a war for its very survival.