All Rance and team wanted was a little breather. But the Empire wouldn't leave them alone.
Bailiff Daughtry, administrator to the High Chamberlin himself, offers Rance a chance to speak to her boss, and he refuses. With all the mess that they had made for him and his friends, he had no interest in becoming mixed up with the Empire again.
Then the Bailiff offers him a chance to clear their names and start their lives anew. Everyone, including Rance, could pursue their dreams and live their lives without the threat of discrimination or harassment. It's a deal that is too good to turn down-all they need to do is spy on the Queen of Canis Ludis, a powerful planet-state that has powerful influence over the Imperial Council. So Rance accepts the mission.
But perhaps he shouldn't have. The last spies sent to Canis Ludis returned-with their heads chopped off.
Meanwhile, Afton is already living her own dream, deep in love with her newly found soulmate! Yet there is something familiar about this person. The connection becomes even more clear when they all unexpectedly meet on Canis Ludis!
Can Rance and team complete the mission without ruining Afton's happy courtship? Will the Queen introduce them to her guillotine? And will the Teddys ever learn how to enter a room?
