Loss seems to follow Adara, first the Pritchard and then a more personal one. She and Decker grieve for their ship and their intimate loss. Once back on Command, Adara negotiates for the crew to be part of the final design of their new ship. Adara is pulled in many directions with her negotiations, training, and consulting. The training center wants her to work with their trainees. She goes to the training center and negotiates with them to expedite training for Wayfarer pilots. In the chaos of all her responsibilities, her life is threatened. Is it because of the crimes she's helped solve, the enemies she's made at Command or with Nukpana? Who is after her? She struggles to find her balance as Decker is injured protecting her. Wayfarer independence comes before the legislature. The clan leaders decide Adara is the best woman for addressing the large assembly. Adara would like anyone else to do it but agrees because her people need her to. Will she be able to persuade them to give Wayfarer their independent status?