Captain Iridius B. Franklin is dead.

After sacrificing his life to save the race of living, time-traveling spaceships known as the Leviathans, the crew of the FSC Deus Ex mourn the loss of their leader. But with Captain Franklin gone, who will defend the galaxy from the impending menace of the Synth-Hastur, the Devourers of the Stars, the Great Living Storm of Steel, the Lords of Interstellar Space, and the Harbingers of Forever War?

As the Synth-Hastur begin to exterminate life in the Milky Way, the crew of the Deus Ex faces the monumental challenge of stopping their advance. Yet, as they embark on their mission, they discover the galaxy they once knew has undergone unexpected changes. An old adversary resurfaces with an agenda that will turn the Galactic Federation itself against them.

On the run from everything they've ever known, grappling with hidden truths and conflicting loyalties, the shakedowners with a knack for the unconventional embark on a journey to safeguard the galaxy. They will discover that in this galaxy the line between life and death isn't always clear cut and to succeed they'll need to embrace their identity as shakedowners forever.