It's 2208 and the universe is on the brink of war. Only a few brave outlaws stand between our world and annihilation - and frankly they've been in better shape . . .
Dax and Jinn may be together again in body, but Jinn fears that the distance between them will never be bridged. Her love for Dax remains strong, but their experiences on Sittan cannot easily be forgotten, and the tension between them threatens everything she holds dear. Luckily, there's no time to dwell on her failings - for they are running out of time . . .
The Sittan are rampaging through neutral space, coming ever closer to Earth, and the government does nothing, frozen by bureaucracy, ignorance and fear. Ferona may be down, but she's far from out - and she is as ruthless and determined as ever. Meanwhile, the deadly Shi Fai wait for a chance, any chance, to claim more of their shared universe.
With enemies on all sides, Jinn is driven to embrace the extraordinary power she's been holding at bay. The mysterious living metal Virena may well hold the secret to ending the war and saving her species . . . but in letting herself go, will Jinn lose her own humanity?