Accused of destroying a Corps warship, the crew of the starship Galileo must prove sabotage-or face the wrath of what's left of Central Gov.

When the Central Corps warship Capricorn-silent and unresponsive, light-years from her last reported position-threatens a civilian space station, the former Corps starship Galileo comes to the station's aid. But Commander Elena Shaw's attempt to disarm the warship culminates in its destruction, and despite evidence Capricorn was sabotaged, Central is happy to direct public ire at Galileo.

To vindicate their ship, the crew must reconstruct Capricorn's final journey, seeking proof of what really destroyed her. But Elena finds an alarming pattern in the evidence they uncover. It seems Capricorn's fate has roots not in sabotage, but in a weapon Central has been keeping secret-a weapon Elena has encountered before. A weapon whose origins may not be entirely human.

Turns out Galileo has a stowaway, hiding in plain sight. And that stowaway might link Elena to Capricorn's destruction after all.