Fleet of worlds
by Larry Niven, Edward M. Lerner
Humanity has been faithfully serving the Citizens for years, and Kirsten is among the best and the brightest of the humans. she gratefully serves the race that rescued her ancestors from a dying Starship, gave them a home world, and nurtures them still. If only the Citizens knew where Kirsten's people came from.
A chain reaction of supernovae at the galaxy's core unleashes a wave of lethal radiation that will sterilize the galaxy. The Citizens flee, taking their planets, the fleet of Worlds, with them.
Someone must scout ahead, and Kirsten and her crew eagerly volunteer. Under the guiding eye of Nessus, their Citizen mentor, they explore for any possible dangers in the fleet's path and uncover long hidden truths that will shake the foundations of worlds.