The young crew of the Bekel and their human friends have made it to polluted and degraded Declain to find their parents. But they are now trapped in the Zeret-Khachav system between the Voth and the pursuit from Earth, with fleet commander Red Hempel following her own agenda.

Rumours of a high-level Kiai plot to overthrow the Voth have circulated for some time, especially on the space station - base of the Voth fleet - in low Declain orbit. The leader of the Kiai, Chebbu Restiq, periodically organises the Games, a gladiatorial contest that gives the Voth the bloodthirsty entertainment they crave.

On Earth, the Neoluddites pursue the acquisition of a pristine planet for colonisation.

And what are Zarduthi ships the Velakta and the Kemeen doing in the Declaini system? With faction juxtaposed against faction, the stakes for survival couldn't be higher.