We will be risking our lives for a consignment of criminals,' Avon objected. 'I don't see anything wrong with that,' said Jenna. 'There's a chance of picking up some new recruits, too,' Gan added.They looked at him and he smiled, jabbing a finger at the transport ship on the view screen. 'We were in their place, once, remember. Prisoners of the Federation, on our way to Cygnus Alpha. Now look at us.' 'I was going to say, "You can't be serious",' murmured Avon, 'but then I saw the earnest look in your eyes – and the fanatical gleam in Blake's.'Blake is planning a raid on a prison ship – the perfect place to recruit more rebels looking for a chance to strike back against the Federation. But the crew of the Liberator find more than dissidents hungry for freedom. They find desperate criminals, shocking betrayal, and a secret so terrible that not even the Federation knows the full truth...