The Ship, its towering structures perched upon the foundation of a massive asteroid, was launched as the last gasp of a dying Earth. The Mission -- seed the universe with one billion colonists who wait in cryostorage for their chance at a new homeworld. Five thousand years into a journey that was supposed to take one hundred, both the Ship and its society are starting to fray.

Fifteen-year-old Zax has trouble fitting in with the other cadets, but earns scores which place him near the top of the all-important Leaderboard. He's already on the cusp of attaining his dream and gaining entrance to the Flight Academy when he catches the eye of the second most powerful officer in the Crew -- the Fight Boss. Winning the Boss as a mentor will guarantee Zax a top position, unless the startling discovery he makes along the way destroys not only his career, but also the Ship itself.