The world is slowly dying. Populations are swelling to unsustainable numbers. Terror and violence has taken over many cities and towns. As the men and women of the Galactic Exploration and Search Unit attempt to soothe the masses, they inform everyone that colonization on other worlds is the answer. But with no habitable planet in sight, all hope seems lost. Not everyone has given up yet. Rusty Bolt, captain and master pilot of the Hope Merchant, his co-pilot Joel Carr, and their dedicated crew begin a space trek with the goal of colonizing a new world. As the ship begins its journey, all seems well-until reserve water bottles begin to disappear. The crew realizes a stowaway must be on board. After they finally locate the stowaway, they make a shocking discovery-she is the daughter of the minister of defense. Yet just when everything appears to be resolved, a rabid official intent on creating a kingdom of his own makes an appearance. But as the crew forges on-focused on their goal of saving humanity-they face one problem after the other, soon realizing that their journey to new beginnings may be more challenging than they ever imagined.