Measure Of Adulthood. Politics of Empire, #4

Kusaan del.  It means 'divine finger' The Empire of Humanity is locked in a war for survival with the Fractal Demons.  Years on, the dice are still tumbling.  Billions have died and planets have been destroyed.  Meanwhile, an old loose end has resurfaced and forced Grace to confront a mistake from her teenage years - her son by a long-dead lover has lost his adulthood, and only Grace can save him from exile. But the Fractal Demons initiate a new strategy, and are starting to turn the tide in their favor.  Grace is unlucky enough to be assigned to deal with one of their first strikes under the new strategy, and she's unable to prevent several million deaths. But she's learned enough to master her problems, both as the new mother of a two hundred year old son, and as one of those defending the masses of the Empire from assault by the demons.  She has grown from her origins, and just because she seems to have a knack for attracting trouble doesn't mean she can't handle it.  When the divine finger points at her, she steps up to deal with it.