Trevor Ratlowe, the Last Ranger, has won a cold peace with the Asgard, a habitat in the asteroid belt. Hoping to engender goodwill he awaits word on a treaty, even as he races off to answer a distress call in the dangerous Maxis Hegemony. But he has new crew to train, and a vengeful Paxton to keep an eye on, even as other members of his crew separately plot to subvert, control or destroy him. But it may be his own desires to prove himself, that will betray the Last Ranger.....