Emerging from an ancient civil war with only a patchwork of once-powerful technologies, the Qurls are threatened by new weapons in the hands of old enemies. Driven by the guilt of a comrade's death, Mikial reaches out through her own divided heritage to discover the humans behind the guns.

On guard against a treacherous alliance with Earth, Mikial is blind to the danger from those she trusts most. As she realizes the inherent danger, she must face off with the deadliest foe she has ever met—the tyrant within.