Shakbout Mansard is given a task that no one wants at the Thiegler Public Relations Agency.
The Sherwood Quadrant have just declared peace with Thiegler and have requested assistance. Shakbout soon finds the problem is a lot bigger and more personal than he had imagined.
A Hurler on the Ditch, an entity from Deep Space has been brought to Sherwood to kill the Bodies Royal during the Renewal when they are vulnerable. This could trigger a war in the Rumple Zone, home to Waifs & Strays, Deep Space lifeforms that could easily spill over into the rest of the Inhabited Systems.
Shakbout is provided with a cover for his investigation. A space transport had been found containing Waifs & Strays. The transport is wanted by a slaver organisation who want no one else to touch it. When Shakbout finds the transport has links to someone much closer to home the case becomes personal.
A shadowy and powerful organisation require Shakbout to rescue a prisoner scheduled for execution as part of the Bodies Royal Renewal ceremony.
Shakbout will need to move fast to rescue friends and possibly enemies from destruction before the Hurler on the Ditch drags the Inhabited Systems back into a war.