In the future, the humans of Earth use wormhole travel to reach neighboring star systems and forge a small interstellar empire.
After centuries of decline however, the Solar Empire is beset by enemies on all sides, and faces internal decline within.
Gallus is a half martian administrator, cast from Mars for exposing the corruption of the planetary government. Serving in the penal forces of the Stellar Guard, he begins on his doomed quest to save the dying flame of a once great civilization.