Publisher's Synopsis
Time is often considered one of man's greatest enemies.
Over two years have passed since the Red Rover's daring escape from the Galicia star system. Their youthful exuberance to traverse the great unknown has justifiably began to wane, forcing them to part ways with idealism, replacing it instead with pragmatism. When the ship makes an emergency landing on a foreign world named Araneus, questions begin to simmer to the surface regarding Marius' leadership or lack thereof. They no longer are his neophytes and have zero interest in being treated like his subordinates. The line between life and death has ended their adolescence forever. With the work to resume their space journey yet to be completed, the group splinters, leaving Marius, Jovan, Callista and the androids behind, so the others could do what they were trained to do. Explore! Soon after, the five cadets find themselves face to face with an alien species that is unexpectedly overjoyed by their arrival. A celebration commences as they are heralded as "celestials" to this civilization. Their good fortune is short-lived, however, as the amoral behavior of their hosts slowly reveals itself. A threat beneath the surface looms large as the harvest season fast approaches, putting everyone at risk. For it is a sacrifice of the few, that can influence the lives of the many.
