David Bophendze was promoted after surviving the Bookmaker's rogue expedition, but cannot cope as a patrol leader in a quiet system—his inner demon drives him to the edge of sanity. Creed Taneo's drive for perfection makes him a near-legend within the ultra-secretive Bafiktuy, as he quickly rises through the ranks after dozens of successful missions. Jonaldy Amonett failed as a courier for the Bafiktuy. One more failure could be his last.

Now, Jonaldy is given an impossible mission: stop Creed from abducting a member of the Dabrian imperial family during a struggle over who should be the next emperor of the Pax Terradoma. With Bophendze's assistance, he succeeds, only to have Creed hunt them down with his ruthless perfection. They might save part of a royal family, but can Jonaldy and Bophendze save themselves?

The interstellar Terran Imperium is expanding to reclaim what was lost during the Decline—a period when hyperspace variances cleaved off countless human systems. The Clinate Oligarchy ruled Copa System for nearly 1,500 years, with every citizen identified as a contract line item. With the hyperspace route reestablished, the Imperium slowly infects Copan society—vying for control and peaceful transition.

Despite enjoying the opulence as a sub-sept member of Clin-Khotaigra, University student Mondennio Rowenzal seeks higher status in government and society. His ambitions are shattered when he is caught cheating during a critical exam, setting him on a course that could decide the fate of his stellar system.

Can he overcome Bafiktuy Intelligence operative Jonaldy Amonett's efforts to compel him to be an agent for the Imperium while doubting his own government's legitimacy?