Torn between past and present, some allegiances die hard.

Plasovern leader Hedda Strom has fulfilled her promise for Sotiris, almost to a miraculous level silencing his genetic mutation. With this achievement, it now falls on former Magistrate captain Katya Cassius to pay the price, as Strom tolerates no freeloaders. However, the cost may be steeper than she's willing to pay, requiring her to turn entirely against former comrades and her adoptive family in a campaign to destabilize the Magistrate.

While Katya struggles with her former loyalties, Mina has embraced Plasovern's cause, threatening to tear their relationship asunder. Building tension within Plasovern and Mina's push to join one of its cells forces Katya to pursue alternative routes to Strom-even risking her wrath.

As the Magistrate's fringe space spirals into chaos and Sotiris's medical needs limit options, Katya's only recourse may be a return to her original homeworld, a place she fears for the truth it may hold.