Brightness Reef Book 1 of a new Uplift Trilogy David Brin 1995
The planet Jijo is forbidden to settlers, its ecology protected by guardians of the Five Galaxies. But over the centuries it has been resettled, populated by refugees of six intelligent races.
Together they have woven a new society in the wilderness, drawn together by their fear of Judgment Day, when the Five Galaxies will discover their illegal colony.
Then a strange starship arrives on Jijo. Does it bring the long-dreaded judgment or worsea band of criminals willing to destroy the six races of Jijo in order to cover their own crimes?
