On the planet Placer, after a battle with the fleet of an unearthly civilization, several interplanetary ships of humanity made an emergency landing. Decades later, the descendants of their crews are still under attack from space.

The fighter pilots are the heroes of a colony waging a constant war, and Spensa has dreamed of joining them since childhood, to prove her bravery. But her fate is intertwined with the fate of her father, who died many years ago after he suddenly left his squadron. Therefore, Spensa's chances of getting into flight school are close to zero. She is not allowed to forget how her father died.

But a chance discovery in a cave forgotten by everyone may open the way to heaven for her.