The colonization of space has allowed humans to exile their criminals to distant planetary bodies, where they have no chance to cause any more problems on Earth. Vidar 6, the second largest planetoid in the Asteroid Belt, is the ideal penal colony. Its primary function is that of an iron mine. The inmates are called workers, and work will set them free. There are no sentences, just contracts that when completed will send the workers back to Earth-as long they're still alive to make the trip. But not everyone on Vidar is a criminal. Lieutenant Azabelle vin Olio, once an honest member of Earth's Civic Security Service, has been gotten rid of by her not-so-honest superiors. She is now a worker, but she knows she will never be allowed to complete her contract-the things she knows are too important to too many important people-and so her only chance is to escape. No one has ever escaped from Vidar 6, but Azabelle must. Her life depends on it. So does justice.