Second Chances is a well-loved tale in an unconventional setting, nothing less than an homage to Joseph Conrad. Just as Conrad, with Lord Jim, explored the perplexing, ambiguous problem of lost honor and guilt, expiation and heroism, Shwartz has created in her Jim a man haunted by guilt over an act of supposed cowardice and his lifelong efforts to atone for that action. Jim is a professional soldier whose time has passed, stationed aboard the corporate BioShip Irian Jaya, security for a commercial venture critical to humanity's continued survival. The war that sundered worlds is over, and now he's just another "tin soldier," a prop for the military, to look good to war-weary civilians. He's never stopped caring about the ideals he clings to, but his caring is tested, when he is thrust into a scandal not of his making. His pride seems to be all he has left, so he chooses to carry his burden of guilt, no matter what. Out of this madness will come the biggest battle for his honor and his soul, and perhaps the promise of a second chance . . .