As the societies of Earth collapse into chaos and destruction, Bailey Belvedere, a U.S. Army Intelligence officer fighting for her very survival, steals aboard an alien spacecraft, and soon finds herself given the authority and power by a superior alien entity to intervene in various problems in the Galaxy. Along the way she frees a world from interstellar slave traffickers, deals with an AI who becomes pregnant, inadvertently destroys a waffle house, fights against the abductors of a special child, and generally finds herself in some sort of trouble one moment to the next. Below is a brief scene from the novel: "You're saying goodbye," Bailey gasped. Vigdis inclined her head. "There is some chance that I will become dissociated, to the point that I can no longer function in my computer or human capacity, ever." "I won't allow it," cried Bailey. She grabbed Vigdis by the shoulders and shook her. Vigdis did not resist. "You can't do this. I order you not to, I order you-" Gently Vigdis disengaged from her. "There is no other way," she said softly. "If I do not do this, we may all die, and hopefully there will be enough of the human left in me to meet you on the Far Shore." "H-how long will it take?" Bailey sobbed. "I think...if I do not have a weapon by this time tomorrow...I won't make it back. If I do not return to my port captain's chair by then... Bailey, if you cannot save Idun Mia..." "We will die together. Build a bonfire on that beach, so we know where to find you." Vigdis wiped her face; it failed to dry her tears. "I will. Bailey Belvedere..." "And I you, Vigdis." Vigdis vanished.