In a world where humanity has opened doors to thousands of other worlds, the colonies are with difficulty trying to secure a place for themselves. Settlers on every new planet balance between death and breakthrough, and the aging crew of the Rocinante is fully occupied with supporting the colonies and keeping peace.
Across the vast space between Earth and Jupiter, the inner planets and the asteroid belt have formed a cautious, uncertain alliance—still charged with the wars and prejudices of recent years. On the all but forgotten Lacoonia, an enemy has been hiding with a plan for a new world order and enough power to put it into action.
A confrontation with new technologies throws civilization back to old patterns of war and domination. But human nature isn’t the only enemy—forces unleashed in the conflict have their own price. They can change everything for the Rocinante and for humanity—suddenly and irreversibly.