The Galaxy was in turmoil. The humans of the Alrinan Republic had been at war with the Vianarian Monarchy for many centuries, and it had reached a boiling point. The violence had spread far enough that there was almost no planet left untouched by its influence, no matter how remote.  Kayden, an ex-soldier for the Republic, would like nothing more than to forget his past and leave it far behind. He became a smuggler with the intention of burying himself in his work until he died. That is, until he was presented with an offer he couldn't refuse. If he could deliver a package to a decimated dwarf planet in one of the most dangerous places in the Galaxy, after following an equally deadly route to get there, the payout would be more than anything beyond Kayden's wildest dreams.  Even better than that, he was allowed to partner with other smugglers for the job. Which means that he could offer the amazing opportunity to both his best friend, Amalee, and his old war partner, Gerza. For the first time, the three of them could allow themselves to imagine retirement, or anything other than a violent death.  If they survived the job.