Sloane Tarnish is finished with Galactic politics, Fleet Commanders, criminal cartels, spaceships in general, and-most of all-bounty hunting. The only problem? Bounty hunting isn't finished with her. The Cosmic Trade Federation has a bounty on her head now, and the reward is high enough to tempt old nemeses into the Fringe Systems. All she wants to do is serve a few drinks and forget the rest of the galaxy exists. Instead, she's living on the run. When a not-so-old friend shows up in the Fringe with a favor in mind, Sloane allows herself to be convinced to join the search for a missing friend-just this once. Meanwhile, the Cosmic Trade Federation is extending their hold on the galaxy, little by little. Soon, every corner of the galaxy-even the quiet ones where Sloane wants to hide-will be subject to their rule.