The Ruins of the Stars

Wuxing is a desolate border planet forgotten by the Human Federation. Sixteen-year-old Li Shu grew up here, in a world of wind, wasteland, and a guardian robot named Ah Hong. Ah Hong taught her to scavenge ore, piece together parts, and watch blurry interstellar signals on an old, battered TV. It was once Li Shu's only link to the outside world.

But Li Shu is no orphan, and Ah Hong is no ordinary machine. Beneath her feet sleeps the Guixu, a starship built ten thousand years ago: the ultimate ark, constructed on the eve of the Old Federation's collapse. She is the ship's heir, the last princess of the Old Federation, and the bearer of the highest-grade Startrace genes from an ancient civilization, sealed within her body. Her presence can amplify the abilities of those around her, while her death would leave irreversible damage.

Their peaceful life is shattered when a mech falls from the sky. The injured pilot, Shen Yan, is a major in the New Federation's Seventh Fleet, a Grade B Startrace wielder, and the subject of a wanted notice for “defection.” She crashes into the wasteland of Wuxing. Li Shu saves her, unaware that the energy fluctuations of this outsider are awakening the Guixu deep underground. Federation pursuers will arrive soon, leaving them less than thirty hours. Li Shu must complete the Startrace authentication on the bridge, pilot the Guixu through the blockade, and escape the planet she has called home for sixteen years.

From scavenger on a ruined planet to starship captain, from lonely girl to the last spark of an ancient civilization. Li Shu is heading toward her origins. And waiting for her beyond is the vast, perilous expanse of space.