After escaping the pirates that had captured them, Dor and her friends crash land in the badlands of New Triton. But even with their emergency beacon running, no one seemed ready or willing to help them. The politics of the oncoming war has followed them from the space station. Even those that don't know about the war could feel it in the wind of the Terran Alliance. The only way for the group to be rescued was for them to take the dangerous trek across the inhospitable desert, hoping to make it to the terraformed section of the colony.

Once saved from their destroyed ship, Dor, Derryl, and Worse resume their original plans, heading to Earth for basic training. Dor's wife, Kenya, had arrived ahead of them, greeting her like the old friend that she was. Only everything isn't the same between them. Not after that kiss. Not after the time apart. Not with Kenya flourishing in training, and Dor falling behind. But at least Dor isn't alone in failing. At least, not at first.

But not everything at basic training is on the level. Something is happening in the shadows. A mystery that Dor can't quite figure out. But not for lack of trying. Besides, in space, no one can hear you train.