Captain James Clayton of the Joint Renovamen Exploratory Fleet has arrived in orbit of the potential colony planet of Geneva. In rescuing Fred Cooper-the sole survivor of the exploratory vessel that first came to study Geneva-he learns that Geneva is already inhabited by humans who have lost all the technological knowledge that allowed them to flee Earth in its final days. Now, Geneva and its inhabitants are caught between the Renovamen and an unknown alien force and Clayton fears that even a Renovamen victory might lead to the subjugation of the Genevans. Weeks from reinforcements and facing an enemy of unknown strength and origin, he will be hard pressed to keep his crew safe, let alone an entire planet. Focusing his attention on the war in space, Clayton sends Major Brooklyn Kobayashi of J-REF Marine Corps to build trust with the Genevans. Acting as Kobayashi's guide and translator, Fred struggles with the responsibilities placed on him not only by Clayton and Kobayashi but the Genevans as well, for they consider him a holy messenger. Fred must contend with his beliefs regarding violence and religion and discover if he has what it takes to be both messenger and mediator.