Two centuries ago, Earth forced the Riggers at L5 to undertake a perilous trek into the unknown. Now the race calling itself the Evolved comes roaring back with conquest on its mind. Existing in the form of a Group Consiciousness, they soon send the navies of Earth and the Peregrine colonies reeling back. Talk of “compromise” — read surrender — spreads.
 
But Arvada Sattar, a young Fast Cruiser captain, determines to carry the fight to the enemy. Along with Sahan Kotori, her First Officer and former lover, she launches deadly raids into captured territory. But will the cost prove greater than they can bear?