Dr Cherijo and her husband have escaped from the Hsktskt slave traders, to live underground with a group of alien-human half-breeds and forced to play the deadly game of shockball.
Dr. Cherijo's husband, Duncan Reever, has finally located her on the ice-covered world of Akkabarr, but he will discover that his greatest obstacle to reuniting with Cherijo may be Cherijo herself --- from back cover.
After being revealed as a genetically-enhanced clone--legally no more than a lab animal--Dr. Cherijo Grey Veil Torin takes refuge with her late husband's warrior clan until suspicious accidents place everyone at risk.