It has been three years since the Naplian Empire invaded Terran space in a desperate gamble to secure serjaum fuel reserves. They conquered the Baedecker Star System, but not without making a dangerous new enemy. Humans. Squadron leader Taggart “Tag” Wester is neck deep in battles across the Great Desert Rift when Terran Intelligence drafts him for a vital secret mission. But he’ll only succeed if he can put aside his prejudices and learn to trust the least likely allies. Lira Lin Reen’s career as renowned thief has come to an abrupt halt. Her only way out is to play both sides of Tag’s mission, with more than a payday in the balance. Elden Selva has come to terms with his new existence as a Truppen cyborg. What he can’t figure is why his warriors are disappearing. Someone isn’t telling him the truth—and worse, he isn’t the only one. With Terran forces drawn deeper into war and intrigue, their actions could spell the doom of millions.