Built to terraform the giant world Boea, the Preform Augustine finished her work and put herself into hibernation. Now awake, she discovers that the vertebrates have arrived to finish the final phase: Colonization. The new colonists discover these strange beings, and they find great value in them, enough to kidnap Augustine’s bonded one, Leon. Desperate, she searches the Five Systems for him, and even turns to divine intervention from an elusive and sinister deity for help. With the tether of their minds drifting further apart, she will do anything to get him back. Even if it means killing the innocent.