In the distant star cluster Messier 4, the advanced civilization of the Apeilous is easing into a period of peace. State governments in the north have begun to rebuild, turning bombed-out cities into commercial hubs, reconstituting damaged historical sites, and recovering lost artifacts. When a trove of artifacts hits the market, supposedly linked to the mythical planet Nocturne, an archaeological race begins. A premier archaeologist and bitter veteran, Misimeria Lioporvo finds her work upset when the government pulls her funding and assigns her to lead a haphazard team of academics and military personnel. The mission seems easy: purchase the artifacts, determine their origin, and go there. Like most of the scientific community, Misimeria is skeptical, but her opinion changes when the mission is shaken up as soon as it begins. The son of a state chancellor, Augustus Felix is a newly minted officer in the Department of Defense. His first assignment: design and lead a protection detail for a state-sponsored archaeological expedition. A military escort seems overkill, but quickly proves inadequate as wealthy adventurers, shadowy organizations, and lethal spies enter the race to find the lost planet of Nocturne.