Mike and his team emerged from the Turinzoni military base victorious. Needing a new home and stronghold, they locate one in a warren of canyons far to the north. Their war isn't over, though. They continue to take the fight to the slavers, using the resources at their new base to track and strike out at the enemy. Soon, circumstances force Mike to reconsider the dangerous game he's playing. Dostori Rev, the slaver patron, has hired new, more capable mercenaries from out of system. The Sh'raithe mercenaries and Taectis, their shrewd commander, have been offered a substantial bonus to find and kill Mike and his team. With the clock ticking and the bonus on the line, the unrelenting Taectis will do whatever it takes to destroy them. Mike's extended family, the old Earthers, Matki's people, and the slaves that his team rescued, are safe in the canyons, but for how much longer?