the world has descended into desperation and terror, ravaged by decades of war for power between two sides: the pro-human hommites, and the genetic engineers called humanoids. born of this war are genetically altered super soldiers; made distinguishable by their unnatural coloured eyes, and hatefully nicknamed 'lab-rats' by soldiers and civilians alike. above the chaos, neutral mercenary pilot valentine, and her ship the firecracker roam the skies, transporting soldiers for both sides across borders. a new job arises, to transport her long-time friends and hommite soldiers, and their three unusual new troops who bear more resemblance to their humanoid enemy than to them, and it seems like just another day. but when an organization of genetically altered soldiers calling themselves the elite intercept firecracker, the violent encounter set off a chain reaction that will tear through valentine's life and force her to make a confronting choice.because valentine has a dark secret, and an even darker past.and now, there is nowhere left to hide.set in limitless skies and dystopian landscapes, a.a. morris's debut novel is an action-packed science fiction story about grit, power, and strength; and discovering what it means to fight for who you truly are in the face of insurmountable odds.