IT HAS BEEN A CENTURY SINCE DISPLACED ICELANDERS TRICKED MARS SETTLERS INTO HANDING THEM CONTROL OVER THE PLANET, RENAMING IT ÝDALIR. BUT NOW, THE ÝDALIR HAVE A DEPLETED MILITIA OF SPACE-VIKINGS ROAMING AROUND THE SOLAR SYSTEM, ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER SHIPPING LANES AND MINING OPERATIONS. MEANWHILE, EARTH IS BOOMING, ITS PEOPLE LIVING THE SAFEST LIVES, NO LONGER GROWING OLD OR SUFFERING DISEASES, FOCUSED ON ENTERTAINMENT, THEIR MAIN CULT-OF-PERSONALITY A MAN THEY CALL TOMMY RAVEN. BUT WHEN HE ENDS UP MISSING, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM GOES INTO A PANIC.
MILLIONS OF MILES AWAY, HIS OLDEST FRIEND AND ONCE LOVER, ALEINA, WAITS WITH DREAD IN HER HEART AND A QUESTION SHE HAS LIVED WITH FOR TEN-YEARS: “HOW WAS I SO EASY TO DISCARD?” SHE DOES NOT KNOW IT, BUT THE ANSWER IS RACING TOWARD HER, AND WITH IT FOLLOWS DEATH.
