In the depths of the rimward lay a colonial settlement that had been silent for many years, and reports were that it was abandoned—until suddenly, a host of distress calls were received.  The Franklin D. Roosevelt, Perseverance, and Cushing are dispatched to investigate.  They find a sprawling complex of ruined structures on multiple planets in the system.  They must work to see who sent the distress calls and why.  A mystery beckons, and the truth is waiting to be found.