The 37 giant pandas of the Tchelakov Tribe have been genetically engineered to become living probability engines-intuitive machines able to forecast the future through dream manipulation. The pandas are torn by two competing visions of the future. On one Path they become the indestructible visionary tools of a tyrannical warlord who plans to use their prophetic powers to bend a thousand star systems to his will through fear and destruction. On the other Path, a man will arrive to rescue them, a man they have come to love and trust. A man they know as the Griffin. Garrand Médeville gained the tribe's respect as he battled Imperial Shock Troops on El-Bouteran and defeated the giant beetles of Galzeki above Eemon Nores. Now the crew of Destiny's Needle must hunt down the beautiful and deadly Vailetta Strom and save her before she is branded a traitor and executed by Commander Arnas. If she takes his hand high above New Haivello, they are fated to raid the most heavily fortified planet in Carinaena's Shell. Two fallen Guardians must defeat the Imperial Third Fleet, outwit a series of sentient doors, and do battle with the Fokathenais dragons that guard their friends. Garrand must finally face the Empire that cast him out and defeat the most powerful man in the galaxy, aided only by wit, cunning and the dreams of a panda.