In this science fiction novel, a spaceship crewed by a unique ensemble of genetically enhanced dolphins, a few humans, and a chimpanzee, finds itself stranded on a water world after a disastrous first contact with an alien fleet. The crew, aboard their vessel designed for interspecies cooperation, must navigate complex social dynamics and external threats as they repair their ship. Meanwhile, they are caught in the crossfire of a galactic conflict, with various alien races eager to capture the ship's secrets, including the knowledge of a long-lost fleet of starships from a mysterious and powerful race. The crew's survival hinges on their ability to work together and utilize their combined intelligence, while they also grapple with the implications of their evolutionary advancements and the responsibilities that come with them.

In a science fiction universe where a galactic civilization is built on the patronage and "uplift" of pre-sentient species into intelligence, a human colony on a distant planet finds itself embroiled in an interstellar war. The planet's inhabitants, including humans, their uplifted chimpanzee allies, and other indigenous species, must navigate the complex politics and military strategies of various alien races. As they struggle to defend their home and assert their place in the cosmos, they uncover deeper mysteries about the origins of intelligence and the true nature of uplift, challenging the established order of their star-spanning society.