The prequel to the science fiction Torch World series. Deep space Oasis waystations are supposed to be welcome refuges from the hardships of long distance space travel, but the promised comforts at Serenity Blue base hide some ugly realities. Quinn Neen didn’t even plan on being at Serenity in the first place. He’s traveling from Earth to join his family at a classified research site, but when the transport ship he’s on has mechanical problems, it’s forced to land. While his shipmates are eager to check out the diversions, Quinn knows he's going to have to be careful-he needs to keep his identity a secret. Being the grandson of the most powerful man in Earth’s military has taught Quinn that too people will try to exploit that connection for their own benefit. On first appearances, the station seems normal. On closer inspection, Quinn can tell the whole structure is falling apart. Parts of it have been closed off and there are rumors of people disappearing on the lower levels. When an explosion is explained away as an equipment malfunction and a dead body is brushed off as an unimportant worker, Quinn realizes Serenity is not a refuge at all. Before the ship can be repaired, Quinn runs into a girl he used to know on Earth and he begins to learn the truth about the waystation. It leaves him with a hard stay quiet and find a way off, or do what’s right and help fight someone else’s battle. One wrong move could destroy the whole station and everyone on it. A space opera adventure in a dystopian world.