For ten years the Union knew peace, but a new enemy has begun to emerge and a disastrous battle leaves the Union on the brink of war. Their flagship, Hera, heads straight to the epicenter of the attacks in hopes of putting an end before real trouble begins. But their efforts are in vain and soon Jek Thurman finds himself in the middle of it all. Jek, once a promising young engineer, is now a simple maintenance technician aboard the Hera after a debilitating accident ruined his right arm. However, this brings no sympathy from Lieutenant Allouette Pierce, who accuses him of being a spy for the new enemy. Soon both Jek and Allouette must make a truce as they find themselves stranded on an unknown planet after a firefight with the enemy. Jek must overcome his own self doubts if he wants to survive long enough to prove his innocence. This new world also brings dangers of all sorts including native predators with a strong taste for blood, a cold hearted rival and his reckless lover, and two races fighting a bitter battle over ownership of the planet. But most of all, Jek must overcome the haunting memory of a love lost which both pulls him toward the truths he seeks as well as leads him further into the heart of the growing war.