At the turn of the century, a doomed science vessel was lost to the stars. Eighty-five years later, its legend casts a shadow across the galaxy.

Decades of bloody interstellar conflicts with the Serpents have left humanity desperate. The only hope for peace is membership in a powerful alien republic. The day of the admission summit finally arrives—and it’s bombed by Human extremists.

Boyd Firedrake is thrust into command of the intelligence agency AEONS, a job he never wanted. As he races to prevent the next attack, he battles the fracturing of his own mind. His investigation leads to two unlikely allies. Andrea Gordon, a felon xenopsychologist who also happens to be his ex. And Ley’eta Azati, an empathic alien linguistics student who may hold the key to exposing an apocalyptic conspiracy.

Republic membership is on the line. As Firedrake and his team journey to the farthest reaches of known space, they face the most frightening question of all: does the Human race even deserve to be saved?