Part one of a thrilling action-adventure sci-fi duology featuring indomitable characters, incredible worlds, and plenty of rip-roaring action and thrills! Rescue operation - or suicide mission? Skyler Luiken and his ragtag crew of scavengers, scientists, and brawlers have a new mission: a long journey to a distant planet where a race of benevolent aliens are held captive behind a cloud of destructive ships known as the Swarm Blockade. No human ships have ever made it past this impenetrable wall, and Skyler knows not what to anticipate when they reach their destination. Safe to say that the last thing he expects to find there is a second human ship led by the tough-as-nails Captain Gloria Tsandi. These two crews - and their respective captains - initially clash, but they will have to learn to work together when their mutual foe closes in around them and begins the outright destruction of their vessels - along with any hope of a return to Earth.

Jason M. Hough is the New York Times bestselling author of the Darwin Elevator series and Zero World, published in the UK by Titan Books. He has been a 3D artist, animator, and game designer for Metal Fatigue, Aliens vs. Predator, and others.