In the sequel to Metal Hearts a shanghaied Julie Calvert is right back where she wanted never again to be. Her one-way ticket to a death zone has her nemesis sharing the ride. This time there's no hope of an outside rescue. She's doing it all on her own. The gigantic alien derelict spacecraft, home of an intelligence that may or may not be a friend, awaits. The new effort pits the crew of ISS Persephone and a stalwart force of ex imperial marines, bolstered by an army of maniacs, against the most powerful forces in the universe. Chances of success are not good, and not much better than the last time, but the prize is worth it: no less than ascendancy over all the human race.