The Malleus crew-their leader Alexis, former gladiator Sabrya, engineer extraordinaireBradyn, and the upgraded droid Torg-aren't fitting into Sylvanus Colony.Facing prowling Imperials, a looming bounty by the powerful Bukshoga Qlan, and various other nefariousentities out for their blood, this side of the galaxy has become too hot for them. With a cargo ship without cargo, the crew plots a course to the farthest known reaches of thegalaxy to become traders among the emerging colony worlds of the Orion Quadrant-aregion under constant harassment from marauders. They soon realize they can offer the onething the colonists need-protection. But when they upset the status quo and anger powerful entities who are already entrenched inthe region, who is going to protect them?