Krespah by Greg Mutton

Krespah is the 4th book in my Chronicle of the 12th Realm series.

Earth has never seen so much interest; every hotel room is occupied and there are hundreds of ships in orbit. The birthplace of the human race is no longer just a curiosity, or a foot note in history. Over a million people, most of whom have never seen Earth before, have made the trek to a week-long event - all because of the discovery of an ancient automobile collection, hidden for almost a millennium, deep in an old bunker on the Abraham compound. This discovery is at the centre of Earth's resurgence and, with the full support of Earth's governing council, the known galaxy will witness the first car race, in a thousand years.

However, on a distant outlying colony, Utopia, a bizarre situation may enmesh the Coalition in a new conflict. Responding to a vague report of an uprising and rumours of massive loss of life; a force of 400 Coalition marines was deployed in a rescue operation. The mission was a disaster and only one combat marine, Colonel Andrew Molinar, survived. The experience has left him broken and psychotic. Intel suggests this is not just some random action, but is linked to the planet Varga and the "Queen in Waiting" prophesy.

An ancient, brutal, androcentric cult, "Krespah", have used Utopia as a testing ground for a new weapon, one that could enslave the entire 12th Realm. The reports obliquely link events to Petra Abraham, and her identity. To solve this riddle, Petra and Aaron travel to Varga, only to be betrayed and marooned on Raslor, a distant and virtually unknown planet. From a celebration on Earth, to the mystical realms of the "Oracle", to the desolation on Raslor, they must survive if the 12th Realm is to be saved.