Though born on Earth, Joel McCowan grew up on the Moon. He lives with his father, who is supposed to be a mining consultant . . .  even though he makes a lot of mysterious journeys around the Moon, back to Earth, and to other solar system colonies.

One day, Joel receives a coded message from his father warning that Joel is in danger. His father does not return home as scheduled and sends no further word.

While taking refuge with his high school friend Cary, Joel barely escapes from an attack by ominous men in black. He and Cary are off on a race for survival to the Moon port, and then on a wild flight from danger. The pursuit—as well as a continuing search for Joel’s father—takes them back to Earth, to Mars, and eventually to Mercury.

Along the way, they encounter dangerous adversaries, a mysterious ally, and a solar-system-wide conspiracy that extends to the highest levels of government and could change the future of Earth and its colonies.