As the societies of Earth collapse into chaos and destruction, Bailey Belvedere, a U. S.

Army Intelligence officer fighting for her very survival, steals aboard an alien spacecraft, and soon finds herself given the authority and power by a superior alien entity to intervene in various problems in the Galaxy. Along the way she frees a world from interstellar slave traffickers, deals with an AI who becomes pregnant, inadvertently destroys a waffle house, fights against the abductors of a special child, and generally finds herself in some sort of trouble one moment to the next.

Below is a brief scene from the novel: "You're saying goodbye," Bailey gasped. Vigdis inclined her head.

"There is some chance that I will become dissociated, to the point that I can no longer function in my computer or human capacity, ever. " "I won't allow it," cried Bailey.

She grabbed Vigdis by the shoulders and shook her. Vigdis did not resist.

"You can't do this. I order you not to, I order you-" Gently Vigdis disengaged from her.

"There is no other way," she said softly. "If I do not do this, we may all die, and hopefully there will be enough of the human left in me to meet you on the Far Shore.

" "H-how long will it take?" Bailey sobbed. "I think.

. .

if I do not have a weapon by this time tomorrow. .

. I won't make it back.

If I do not return to my port captain's chair by then. .

. Bailey, if you cannot save Idun Mia.

. .

" "We will die together. Build a bonfire on that beach, so we know where to find you.

" Vigdis wiped her face; it failed to dry her tears. "I will.

Bailey Belvedere. .

. " "And I you, Vigdis.

" Vigdis vanished. .