Sentience

From the back cover of the DAW first edition (Sentience): "True-humans -- they thought themselves the lords of the universe and looked upon D'neerans, the only human telepaths, as being not quite human, not quite trustworthy. But a few true-humans could see the promise and possibilities of the D'neerans. So when Jameson, true-human master of manipulation, launched the exploratory starship Endeavor, one D'neeran, the Lady Hanna, a navigator and telepath who had studied the known sentient races, was part of the crew. The Endeavor began its star search, broadcasting a message of greeting and hope. But when an answer finally came, it was meant for the single D'neeran aboard -- and upon her would rest the fate of all humankind."