In the Underground city of Arras, the continuing story of the life of Zormna Clendar Tarrn. Prequel to the Martian Prophecies Series. Only a year after losing her parents, Zormna Clendar is taken to the Surface Patrol by her uncle's (police) partner after her uncle has been murdered. Orphans without family are always taken to the Surface Patrol to be raised into soldiers-- but to protect Zormna from those who would want her dead for being a Tarrn, she is taken secretly and directly to the head of the entire Surface Patrol... an old friend of her father's. K'ren, her uncle's partner hopes that she can be snuck into the Surface Patrol with altered records to cover her identity as a Tarrn - the same as was done for her father and uncle and mother before her. Problem is, Tarrns aren't exactly military material.