An astronaut's arrival at a colony world awakens an AI with powerful technological secrets in this science fiction adventure from an award-winning author.

Sixty years ago, the starship Anastasia left Earth and established a colony twelve light years away on the world called Silversands. It was a risky venture, traveling through a wormhole gate created by an unknown alien species, unable to navigate their destination to a habitable planet. But the colonists' gamble helped them find an independent home far from the New United Nations government controlling Earth.

Communications officer Avril Bradley serves aboard the Pathfinder, transporting refugees in suspended animation on a mission to find them a home. When they unexpectedly arrive at Silversands, Avril is astonished to see the Anastasia in orbit. She has been searching for the vessel for a long time, hoping to find Cale Christie, a crew member she hopes can answer questions about her past.

But the Anastasia holds an even greater secret-technology developed by scientist Madelyn Walker capable of altering the very course of humanity's future in the stars. Long dead, she has left this vital information with an AI programmed to contact the only two people she trusted to access it-Cale and Avril.

As they reconcile their relationship and connection to Madelyn-and each other-Cale and Avril follow the AI's instructions only to become targeted by factions determined to seize the innovative technology-or destroy it.