Toni Jacob is too violent for the Feline Augment Corps, despite her soft spot for Nzinga, Queen of the Pride. However, out in the Barnard System, where rogue scientists are kidnapping barwolves for illicit experiments, her courage, aided by an advanced organic augment provided by Freighty, is exactly what the doctor ordered.
But this also brings her into closer contact with Andrew Collingwood, who is just turning seventeen, but built like Adonis. And she's terrified to hurt his feelings, because then she'd have to face his mother.