The colony on the beautiful planet Azureign has been cut off from Earth for a millennium. The several alien species of the Compact watch over the planet to ensure the human settlers and their Helper species do not create or use technology that could further damage or pollute the terraformed world. Now the Dolphinfolk, a Helper species engineered to aid the settlers in traveling on Azureign's violent oceans, are refusing to Help. Instead, they urge the few humans they trust to join their revolt and free Azureign from the alien restraints. Princess Tingh Tae Lha, fleeing a bloody coup, becomes a leader of other displaced people. She is the only one among them fluent in the language of the Dolphinfolk. Together, can the Dolphinfolk and humans break free of the alien Compact?