Jul has watched the bands of homeless children living beyond her office window for too long. Her father, the Chancellor of the Third Quadrant of Akila, refuses to use his power to help the children or even admit their existence. Frightened but determined, Jul hires an Earther starpilot to transport her and some of the children to a newly-colonized planet, Orum.

          Marc Prejean is an out-of-work, out-of-money starpilot living on the land of his Cajun ancestors. For the previous six years, Marc has been in prison, sentenced to forcedsleep for smuggling illicit drugs to Earth. The betrayal of his wife and his brother, the loss of his starpilot license, and the stolen six years of his life have made Marc an angry and withdrawn man.

          Marc and Jul begin a dangerous and frustrating journey of mistrust, sexual desire, and the common goal of safeguarding the twelve children. Despite the secrets keeping them apart, they work together to meet the challenges of each unique child.

          They soon learn they are being ruthlessly hunted by determined and angry men.  With fear neither has ever known, Marc and Jul realize they have brought the children into a greater threat than living in the alleys of Akila.