The rulers of the planet Panocho wants their long-lost, sacred gem back. Unaffiliated with the galaxy's other factions and located near the edge of Conflict Space, the planet's rulers have offered a small fortune for someone to retrieve it. The crew of the experimental ship Nightingale are on the job. Bringing the gem home, though, may only be the beginning of their troubles.

Leaving Panocho, Nightingale picks up some simple passengers, a family taking a vacation in far-off Republic space. However, after an attack during a pit stop, secrets are revealed and crew members are abducted, dragging Nightingale into a race against time. Now, they have to invade a sovereign planet, steal back their most precious heirloom, and stop a bloodthirsty civil war, all in order to rescue their people. Worse, they'll have to do it for free.