The Earth has been the loving mother of humanity for thousands of years, but now humanity has left the cradle broken in its efforts to reach the stars. Those left behind have not fared well, but the efforts of the Conwin family and others have held the world together . . . oft time with an Iron Fist, but successfully nonetheless amid the strife since the lights went out. Lian Conwin's assassination has changed everything, though, and the Imperium stirs from it's restless slumber. The cradle is shattered, but the steel Throne of humanity remains, and ambition is harder to kill than hope. Chaos and war engulf the Galaxy as the Imperium moves to take and hold what its new leadership believes to be theirs by sovereign right, fueled by the buried rage of billions. Fleeing the coup, Jinsha Conwin and young Legionnaire Eryn Aubrey must seek allies if they want to survive . . . but for the likes of Conwin and Aubrey . . . survival will never be enough.