In 2125 Earth grows weary of Mars' economic might and threatens a war to gain access to the mineral wealth of the asteroid belt, but even more importantly to Mars' promising teleportation technology. Fresh from resolving the highjacked Mars Orbital Smelter Array crisis, Max Cody is confronted with new challenges as he and his amour Elaine join the diplomatic mission to Earth aimed at preventing war. Damaged and repaired by aliens, Max brings special capabilities to the table which he will desperately need as diplomacy stumbles. Earth's forces threaten to launch a powerful strike at the tiny Martian colony, driven by the relentless ambition of Xanthus Rex, the billionaire arms merchant. Imprisoned on Mauritius, Max and Elaine are helpless to prevent the war between worlds unfolding overhead. How will they escape, and what can even they do to forestall catastrophe for their friends near Mars? Frankly, Max and Elaine wonder, too.