Crusade by David Weber. Short summary

5 seconds

There is a legend among human astronauts about a single destination from which no colonists have yet returned. But there have been people who have ventured into the dangerous place.

1 minute

After three wars, with great loss of life on both sides, the Earth Federation has made a peace treaty with the aliens who inhabit Orion’s territory. Despite their belligerence and desire to wage war to the bitter end and end it on their terms, they agreed to humanity’s terms. Thus another bloodbath was ended. Gradually the guerrilla movements faded, both Orion and human. There was still much work to be done, however. For three large-scale military conflicts had laid the dislike of the Orions in the humans. The same was true of the Earthlings’ opponents.

The recent disappearances of colonists in the Earth-controlled system also fueled the additional hatred. Constant departure of human ships in a strange direction, where, according to the locals, no one has ever returned. The fact that the system is formally under Orion control added fuel to the fire. A group of brave men decided to go there for revenge.