In a post-apocalyptic future, every world in the star-flung Commonwealth prospers under the rule of the Great Family Van Buren. Every world, that is, except Earth, humanity's Home World. Of all the branches of humanity - each branch genetically engineered to survive its adopted world's environment - only the terrifying human polymorphs called Lupans still revere Home World. And now they want it back. Seeking to avert another devastating war, Jezekiah Van Buren, Heir to Home World, forges an alliance with the powerful Lupan warlord called Strongarm. Yet the alliance threatens not just the comfortable status quo of the Commonwealth, but the life-line of the feared outlaw organization called Ho Tong. Suddenly Jezekiah finds himself racing both Strongarm and treason charges back to Earth. Yet in Earth's Hawaiian capital he's not safe. Only the martial skills of a native Hawaiian girl Keiko Yakamoto saves him from an assassin's bullet. Now, in order to save Earth Jezekiah must discover whether the woman who's claimed his heart is his salvation - or his executioner.