An up-and-coming police officer in a future London is framed for a crime she didn't commit, and shipped off to an off-world prison – only to find herself in the middle of an uprising by a group of extremely dangerous criminals.
After landing on the surface of a planet Tula, Genevieve, and Candy, head for a mining settlement to conduct business, and Ash looks for a way to escape. On Earth, Rebecca pursues Sergeant Wendell.
With Emma Grieves promising to deliver the location of Arcadia, Tula sends Ash, Echo, and Verona on a mission to steal fuel rods from a Commonworld outpost. While the others attempt to repair the Hemlock's failing systems, Wendell escapes police custody on Earth.
The fugitives attempt to avoid the Commonworld by commandeering a ship inhabited by a scientist who is more than he appears ... and who knows about Dr. Grieves' past.
The former prisoners arrive on Candy's homeworld, the icy planet of Skov, to find medical help for Ash. As Candy is reunited with her mother, Genevieve seeks help from a biomedic after the tech that gives her special abilities is damaged.
On the ocean world of Kelp the crew attempt to secure the coordinates to Arcadia in a card game, while Dr. Grieves is tortured by the Commonworld. Ash is reunited with her mother, and Candy struggles with withdrawal.
As the Hemlock draws near Arcadia the group discovers a beacon altering the authorities of their location, leading to mutual suspicion and infighting. Rebecca makes a decision that could change the Commonworld forever.
