The Scozid said they want to discuss peace. Willow was the only one who heard the lie.

Willow Benally has spent her time since being rescued from the disintegrating Shangris space station studying Scozid culture. When a message promising negotiation arrives, everyone wants to believe their adversary has changed. Willow knows better. The words say peace. The cadence says trap. Now the Alliance puts her at the center of talks that feel less like she’s there for diplomacy and more like she’s bait.

Renjik struggles with the loss of his arm at Scozid hands. The cybernetic replacement works well enough, but it feels like proof of failure. He knows the Scozid can’t be trusted and expects the worst. He doesn’t expect the sharp human expert to catch his senses, challenge every assumption in the room, and become his rhun.

Between diplomatic theater, biological weapons, a judgmental alien scarf, and an enemy arrogant enough to mistake its own trap for victory—surviving their mission may be easier than admitting the future they want is worth fighting for.