Jorie Taylor has lived her whole life on the generation ship Beacon. Fleeing an Earth tearing itself apart through its exhaustive demand for resources, the Beacon is finally approaching Sarbras, the planet circling Tau Ceti which they hope to make humanity's new home.

But Earth has recovered from its near-death experience and is now under the control of a ruthless dictator whose sights are set on Tau Ceti as well. President Jurudu knows how to get what he wants - and he wants Sarbras.

This is the first book in the new line The Stellar Guild from Phoenix Pick. Each book pairs a story by a bestselling author with one by a protege of the author's choosing. Both stories are set in the same universe.