The colony ship Intrepid is falling into a star. The ship's AI has lost control of the engines and core systems. Battling a saboteur who strives to isolate him, his last act is to wake Colonel Tanis Richards from stasis.

Tanis finds herself alone on a dying ship, unable to contact the AI. She must discover what has happened and save the Intrepid from burning up in the star's angry red light.

Even if she is successful, the journey to the colony world of New Eden is just beginning. With decades of travel ahead, she will somehow have to find a path in the darkness.