Academy graduate Natalya Regyri stood first in line for her pick of Engineering Officer jobs, until a classmate turned up dead at the graduation party. Now, betrayed by her friends and framed for murder, she must flee beyond the reach of the Confederation...and into the Toe-Hold stations scattered in the Deep Dark.With a damaged second-hand ship and TIC interceptors dogging her steps, she nets a smuggling contract that might just get her back on her feet and in control of her destiny. But only if she's willing to make an ore run back to the place she's wanted for murder, and into the arms of the authorities...who somehow know she's coming.