Bestselling author Tanya Huff returns to the spacefaring Confederation in a new series, as centuries of battle give way to a fragile calm... but new threats lurk beneath the surface.With the war that's dominated her life finally over, Torin Kerr is ready to prove wrong anyone who claims there's no such thing as an ex-gunnery sergeant. She has plenty of opportunity to use her unique skills as a contractor to the Peacekeepers, zipping up petty rebellions and working to rehabilitate those who can't lay down arms. But when Military Intelligence calls with a covert mission so explosive it could tear apart the Confederation, Torin can't possibly refuse.Someone has found the hidden tomb planet where the founders of the Confederation buried their weapons when they swore off violence. Now the clock is ticking for Torin and her team to find it, too, and stop the planet-killing technology from resurrecting. But the Elder Races aren't telling them everything. The citizens at the Core treat warriors like criminals. The grave-robbers know secrets no official record includes. And in the heart of this strange ancient memorial, Torin might learn more about the Confederation's past than is good for her...