On the twilight world of Nidus, the Seyles (giant dragonflies) rule the planet ruthlessly and recklessly, as they use the other species of the world in their own game of global domination. It's the sort of thing Jake Ambler, working for the Independent Crusader Force (ICF), has seen many times.

At the center of each kingdom, however, lies an Apothikon, a mysterious creature gestating in a chrysalis that both serves the inhabitants-and uses them for food! Jake's been assigned to protect the Apothikon of one kingdom, whose defenses have been mysteriously compromised.

Also, with an impending war on Earth, Jake's family ties make him a liability for the ICF, and Jake knows he's being hidden away on this worthless planet and its beligerent and argumentative inhabitants.

A Mystery Wrapped In A Chrysalis
The Apothikon, according to the one scientist who braves Nidus, is about to break out of its chrysalis in a once-in-a-century event-if it survives. But while she watches from safety, Jake is increasingly involved in the strange dynamics of Nidus where mere discussion of the Apothikon is taboo.

As he struggles to keep the balance between the kingdoms, he must also learn their cultures, fight their wars, and solve the mystery of the damaged Apothikon defenses-all while keeping the Apothikon safe from the increasingly intense onslaughts.

Love and War
His only help on the planet is Dali K, his fiancée, whose devotion (and access to a Stretch Ship) helps Jake unravel the mysteries while giving him hope for the future. But their impending marriage is threatened by their unrevealed secrets, as she reveals something about herself completely unknown to him, and he finally must confess what drove him away from Earth.

One thing for certain: If he makes it out of this one alive, things will never be the same!