Pete didn't want to go back to the Ladder and Trick Bag. He'd wasted the best years of his life helping build the space elevator and resort for the Company, for little reward and loads of misery. Going back with a cargo of contraband was just asking for trouble. Then there was the three passengers he was slated to transport to Ceres, a delegation of Earth bureaucrats. Marvin wanted it done, though. If you knew what was good for you, you did as Marvin asked. Besides, the Mojo Hand was the only ship in position to make the run. You can't argue with physics.
PJ was an orphan, her mom disappearing years ago. Since then, she ran with Lita's crew, a gang of throwaways and orphaned kids, stealing anything available and brawling with other crews. Until Nobey noticed her. He took her in, got her work and started educating her. When he asked her to watch over an old friend, a visiting shipmaster, PJ's life was in for a change that she had never imagined.