A storm of greed and global domination is rolling across the planet Dianis. The assault crashes against the walls of Wedgewood, an idyllic mountain town.

Over the walls, Paleowright soldiers and their troglodyte allies climb and meet the Human defenders. In a staggering retreat, the defenders fight the first battle to save their planet from tyranny and galactic exploitation.

Outnumbered, the citizens and mercenaries of Wedgewood stand shoulder to shoulder and send a rallying call to their brethren. For IDB Chief Inspector Achelous, if Wedgewood falls the plans to protect the planet from Nordarken Mining collapse as well.

Those plans rest on the forge in Wedgewood's foundry. Ruthless in its insatiable demand for a rare mineral, Nordarken Mining ignores federation law: the Universal Law of Unclaimed Planets (ULUP), that protects the isolated, primitive planet.

Destroying whole cultures to satisfy the Nordark avarice is the cost of doing business. Not so for Achelous, a ULUP enforcer; it's his job to protect the defenseless.

The politics authorizing ULUP are complex, and the Nordarks are masters of manipulation. Ordered to leave Dianis, Achelous and his team face an excruciating dilemma: obey orders or go rogue and become what they fight against, extrasolars.

In a twist within a twist, Achelous learns he is not alone against the global and galactic powers. Marisa, a trader princess, and Christina, an Ascalon Defender, respond to Wedgewood's rally call, but as unlearned provincials, they are ill-accustomed to stellar intrigue.

The defense of liberty starts here, in The Foundry. .