<p><i>The Final Key</i> is the completion of the duology Triad which began with the novel <i>Schism</i> and which reveals the epic story of how a war of galactic proportions first exploded between two great empires how the Ruby Dynasty reached maturity. </p><p><i>Schism</i> ended with the Skolian Empire torn asunder by personal conflict within the royal family. With <i>The Final Key</i> the Skolian Empire comes under all-out assault from its nemesis the Euban Concord (Traders). They have undermined the Empire via subterfuge and assassination leaving it ripe for conquest. The Skolian Empire’s only hope? A young woman barely out of her teens who hasn’t even completed her training as a cadet.</p>