Chapter 1

Settling a planet is never easy. Complications can arise from attacks by mangy beasts to indomitable microbes. Don't forget power struggles. Who really should be running this show? A lot of these things are above Steph's range of mechanical duties but somehow she gets dragged right into the thick of things, thanks a bit to her scientist brother, who insists they're capable of shifting into more than just puma form. So he decides to try breaking his neck in an attempt to turn into Raven. After he breaks his leg instead, Steph must do her best to protect the colony from threats within and without, because she just had to try to fix a few things. With the head of the Guard at her side, feeling obligated to provide assistance after the disaster of their first meeting, the pair introduce a new style of settling.