On new world Philos, life continues to be a hardscrabble struggle for existence. Famine and poverty define life, vital energy sources are waning, and violence between religious factions is escalating into all-out civil war. And Trini society’s good Christian values make life especially precarious for those with secrets. When radio transmission from the Salt Valley uranium mine goes dark, Dustin jumps at the chance to investigate, seeing an escape from the insularity of his hometown and a chance to start over in the capital. Only problem is, his cowboy escort to the mine is a self-satisfied jerk. For his part, Thayil has carved himself a place in society riding shotgun for Trini cargo caravans, but La Sangre has just upped the stakes with raids in the Salt Valley. Now he’s charged with babysitting a sullen rich kid on a trip through hostile country. If they can keep from killing each other through this, Dustin and Thayil might find they have more in common than they think. Words: 95,000.

As social unrest on Philos escalates, Thayil is finding it harder to hide in that shadowy place between cultures. As one of his own is threated with hanging, Thayil is forced to decide who he will be. Then Dustin launches himself into an explosion of violence, and Thayil prays he can reach him before it's too late.