The story continues. Human Med Tech Thresher Korzeniowski's beloved Realm is being turned upside-down by events far beyond her control. Tragic and terrifying events Racist ettringite terrorists are endeavoring to murder the Imperial Majesty and then have the Realm's humans blamed for their treasonous crime. The Realm's security services are ruthlessly trying to maintain order. Those suspected of involvement in the conspiracy are disappearing, and the secret police have been trained to suspect everyone. Foreign pirates have attacked inside the Realm and Thresher's ettringite friend, Medical Officer Guard First Lieutenant Frida has been officially reported missing after a battle to stop them. The station Thresher is on has been badly damaged by an explosion and now, someone or something is prowling the stricken station and stealing human body parts from the station's morgue. To make matters worse, Thresher's Earth-born mate, Teodor Korzeniowski, has disappeared. It's enough to make Thresher turn to drinking