The rebellion may be over before it begins… Two colonies have been destroyed. The fringe mourns the loss of thousands of lives. The remaining colonies are in a chokehold while the Collective uses firepower to silence protestors. Word of a rebellion has been spreading, but getting recruits to sign up is nearly impossible, especially with the rebellion's icon, Critch the pirate, imprisoned in the unescapable Citadel. Cut off from both friends and supplies, Aramis Reyne must put his trust in a mysterious new ally in order to rescue Critch. But with enemies coming at them from every angle, any hopes for a rebellion may be doomed. Reyne must build a torrent army to stop the Collective. If he fails, the fringe will burn.