In the far future humanity has spread across the stars to colonise new worlds. Embracing fresh technology and new horizons, our species sets out toward a better tomorrow. For Mike Lemeth - seminary reject and practicing cynic - the future is a little less rosy. A career with the United Force For Humanity has left him with few illusions about humanity, and now he's trying to keep the peace in a dispute on an outlying planet. The issues are many, the background complex, the consequences potentially explosive. Lives hang in the balance. Mike's life included.