The Human Expeditionary Force’s outpost has been breached, and the Fer-Kyste don’t intend to take any prisoners.  Caught in the middle of this fight for survival is Freja, terrified and barely holding on. She has already seen so much death, but more is to come as this battle comes to its murderous conclusion. But what can she possibly do against the might of the Youngling? Will she also fall, so very far from home? There is one last throw of the dice to be made, but the Doctor is struggling. Every movement hurts, every second a trial, but he must rally against an inevitability because the stakes are so high: the biosun is dying and countless lives are at risk. Time is running out to save the day, but with the Doctor's very future on the line, what hope is left?