AustLit

'AD 2179, the planet Prosperine, Eridanus Constellation, twenty light years from Earth.

Hickory Lace, recently reinstated to the rank of Commander in the Alien Corps, is assigned to investigate the Prosperine mystic known as the Teacher. The Corps has spent decades hoping to find evidence of the Son of God on remote planets, and the Teacher could be the proof they’ve been looking for.

'Hickory’s estranged father is an admiral in the Intragalactic Agency, a federation of planets with common trading interests. He has been negotiating with the Prosperine government for the sale of crynidium—a vital and rare ingredient of FTL travel. To sweeten the deal, the Prosperine leadership has asked the IA for their help in dealing with an upsurge of violence and the threat of revolution in the capital city of Ezekan.

'On their part, the IA have requested the assistance of the Corps, and Hickory in particular, as they believe her unique empathic abilities might prove pivotal.

'Hickory and her team become embroiled in the local politics and discover that the rebel Pharlaxian faction have teamed up with a battalion of alien Bikashi soldiers supplied by the non-aligned planets who are intent on seizing the crynidium for themselves.

'The fate of the Earth and its allies is at risk. Hickory must find a way to prevent the revolution from being successful and at the same time determine who the Teacher is and what he represents.' (Publication summary)