Her name was Killashandra Ree. After ten grueling years of musical training, she was still without prospects. Then she heard of the mysterious Heptite Guild on the planet Ballybran, home of the fabled Black Crystal. For those qualified, the Guild was said to provide careers, security, and the chance for wealth beyond imagining.

The problem was, few people who landed on Ballybran ever left. But to Killashandra, the risks were acceptable...