A stalled negotiation leaves a translator clone with only two options: succeed or die.

Translator clone Thalia Blueheart can learn and speak any language in the known universe, but her skills aren't doing her any good. Both the Motomaks and the Crenicians want total control over a new bio-energy source and are willing to annihilate anyone who gets in their way–namely, each other. The lone Zabolov at the negotiation table has yet to speak and offers her no help.

Translator clones live notoriously short lives. They either succeed at their assignments and live or they fail and are sent back to the lab to be destroyed. There are no second chances.

Thalia doesn't want to die. Her daring solution surprises everybody and changes her life in a way she never dreamed possible.