"Hostilities between factions are threatening to explode into a shooting war on the moon of Yakutsk, and the two major galactic military powers, Central Corps and PSI, have sent ships to defuse the situation. But when a strange artifact is discovered, events are set in motion that threaten the entire colonized galaxy--including former Central Corps Commander Elena Shaw. Now an engineer on a commercial shipping vessel, Elena finds herself drawn into the conflict when she picks up the artifact on Yakutsk--and investigation of it uncovers ties to the massive, corrupt corporation Ellis Systems, which she's opposed before. Her safety is further compromised by her former ties to Central Corps; Elena can't separate herself from her past life and her old ship, the CCSS Galileo. Before Elena can uncover the artifact's purpose, disaster strikes: all communication with the First Sector--including Earth--is lost. The reason becomes apparent as news reaches Elena of a battle fleet, intent on destruction, rapidly approaching Earth. And with communications at sublight speeds, there is no way to warn the planet in time. Armed with crucial intel from a shadowy source and the strange artifact, Elena may be the only one who can stop the fleet and save Earth. But for this mission there will be no second chances--and no return"--Publisher.