The year is 2271, and humanity has mastered fusion and subspace travel. As a result, what was once a world economy is now a solar system economy. Chris Skylander is a young smuggler living and working on his adoptive father's cargo ship, the Puddle Jumper. He enjoys his life as a helmsman but is always craving something more. Wanting to fly for The Earth Force was a dream for many youths but only available to the privileged elite. Instead Chris makes due piloting the Puddle Jumper among an eclectic crew that is more dysfunctional family than coworkers. Little does he know that a routine mission will take an unforeseen turn that will change his life in drastic ways, and ultimately affect mankind's place among the stars.