All Ron, Gus and Tik wanted to do was to get back to their home planets to see their families.  They wouldnb't mind turning a profit on trades along the way.  When people threaten their new friends or trades, they have a tendency to forget trading while they take care of the problem.  When their friends Kota and Zibo disappear in an area filled with space pirates, they go into action.  This action pushes them to "The Key".  Now, have they found a blessing or a curse.  Book 2 in the Alcantaran series.