XK9 Rex is a dog who thinks too much-and it could get him killed. He and his Packmates were bio-engineered and cyber-enhanced to be the most advanced forensic tools available to law enforcement. Transplanted to a habitat space station in the Human Diaspora and separated from his Packmates, Rex has only his human partner Charlie to depend on. Then Rex's rookie mistake during a catastrophic explosion on the space dock sends Charlie to the ICU. Now Rex is truly all alone. Without Charlie, he's sidelined. Written off by the humans. But his keen senses picked up a vital clue on the space dock that the investigation needs know. He must get the humans to listen somehow! Rex doesn't realize that larger forces are at work. The XK9s are more than just forensic tools, and they're more than their new owners, the Orangeboro Police Department, ever bargained for. When Rex accidentally unmasks a disturbing secret, he blows open an international conspiracy that could destabilize the entire System-and places himself, his Pack, and all XK9s everywhere in mortal peril.