In a crumbling futuristic society, Earth is only a myth, the technological advances of centuries have faded into distant memory, and space travel depends on a fleet of run-down, unreliable ships. Only the brave—or foolhardy—undertake such risky journeys. The brave, the foolhardy—and the runners . . .

Jak Rebo is one such runner, whose current job is to deliver a future religious leader to his people, while avoiding assassins. If that's not enough, he gets involved with a very beautiful woman who holds the secret to instantaneous travel between star systems—a secret that some would kill for.

With death waiting at every port, Jak soon realizes that this time he is running for his life . . .