The story of a teenaged woman named Kurleida Xiao who, after several years of being her small town's sheriff, finally has her application to join the Commonwealth army accepted. This start of a series-spanning franchise sees a young woman who grew up far too young and is forced by a charming Field Master to see the brighter side of life. She learns to become a good friend and a better leader. Discover a society where teenagers are given a simple choice: Grow up, or die young.