Tarton's colony has survived an alien attack. He and his settlers may not have time to pick up the pieces, because the horde of knife-limbed swarmers aren't intelligent, and didn't come from their planet. Without any clues about who or what unleashed the attack, he may need to swallow his pride and call on Gianna, his ex, for help. But even her psionic gift may not be enough to reveal the magnitude of the threat to humanity.