A tragic collision. Twelve lives lost. The wreckage of a history-making space vessel lies scattered across the moon's surface. Captain Ben Wildes, the pioneer of Saturn, and a rising star in the Earth Space Defense force, is found negligent after a deeply politicized trial.

A year later, Ben receives a surprising opportunity to redeem his suspended career. He's provisionally reinstated to investigate the fate of a missing commercial space mining vessel last reported an area that's perilously close to a sensitive territorial line. The incident requires a careful, firsthand investigation. Corroboration of an attack could easily breach long-standing treaties between two superpowers, which would lead to war.

As the mission unfolds, Ben uncovers shocking secrets with alarming ramifications, and quickly learns that chasing redemption is far more perilous than he ever anticipated.