After a terrible vision of the future, Ia must somehow ensure the salvation of her home galaxy long after she's gone. Promoted in the field for courage and leadership under fire, she is now poised to become an officer in the Space Force Navy once she undertakes her Academy training. But at the Academy, she discovers an unexpected challenge: the one man who could disrupt her plans. The man whose future she cannot foresee. Time is running out for Ia, the galaxy is on the brink of the Second Salik War.