Hospitallers be careful what you wish for.

In the wake of the Nongoma action, Sergeant Fermo's team has been confined to base duty — and base duty makes for a long season on Abira. But when a peace talks mission goes bad and ends in an ambush, they are the only team available to respond.

Eager for action, Fermo's team jumps at the chance to rescue their fellow Hospitalers. But the ambush is just the beginning of Fermo's latest trial. She and her team must venture into unknown territory, with few clues and no outside support.

But they are not alone.

They have brought help with them. Will it be enough to see them through the mission? And what costs will the team pay to survive?

There's only one way to know.