First Family

Escaping from the Clan M'Call, the Mute warrior tribe who have held him as a captive "guest", Steve Brickman reaches one of the way-stations that guard the frontiers of the Confederation.

Steve's arrival and the story he tells is met with disbelief for he is the first Tracker to have survived capture by the Mutes. He is flown back to the Lone Star Federation in chains, charged with desertion and put on trial. Steve cannot defend himself by revealing what he has discovered about the Plainfolk and their "magic" powers because to do so would challenge the wisdom of the First Family. A Code One offence punishable by death.

Seizing the chance to redeem himself as an undercover agent, he find his first assignment is to capture the three gifted Mutes who saved him from a fiery death, nursed him back to health, and gave him a new vision of the world.