After their victory against the city of Fortuna in the Celestial Mechanics freedom competition, Aster and Pan's team Fortuna find refuge in an old, abandoned factory where they encounter a strange reclusive community. They call themselves “The Source,” advocating neutrality between neighboring countries. But peace evaporates when Fortuna's emissaries arrive at the factory looking to get their hands on those responsible for a low-tech cyberattack against their systems. What follows is a cat and mouse chase between fake terrorists, real spies, and the girl caught in the middle of this mess, Aster...

The sequel to the award-winning, post-apocalyptic future introduced by author Merwan in ASTER OF PAN, picking up mere weeks after the victory of that tale.