Thirteen years ago, Earth Force-a space-military agency-discovered a connection between brain structure and space travel. Now they've brought together the first team of cadets, called Bounders, to be trained as high-level astronauts. Twelve-year-old Jasper and his new friends learn untold secrets about Earth Force and that they weren't recruited for astronaut training as they were told, but to learn how to teleport using a technology stolen from an alien society.