For five years, the people of colonist ship New Exodus have lived peacefully on their new home planet. But for eighteen-year-old Cloelia Sterling, one planet has never been enough. When her curiosity leads her to send a message into deep space, she discovers that life does indeed exist on other planets... and not all of it is friendly.

In a desperate move to save her people, Clo launches on an interplanetary adventure in search of allies against the hostile Allorans. With help from a daring freighter captain, a kindhearted cabin boy, and a band of fugitive warriors, Clo must muster the courage to face the problem she created and return to her ravaged home world. Not all battles can be fought alone, but this one may prove too much even for a united crew.