In the dark of outer space, there lies a little rest stop known as Sauerkraut station. There live the matriarchs of the Denahue family, who have kept the station alive for generations. They are known for their sauerkraut, and weary travelers from far and wide can find a bit of respite in this clanging station. The youngest of them is 12 year old Lizzie, who lives with her mom and her grandmother, who she calls Gemma. One day, she meets Themba. There have been brewing tension between two empires called the Web and the Gineer, and Themba is a diplomat's son that is soon to be a hostage for the Gineer. This boy is different from all the other strangers that come to the station, he does not judge her for living in a space station or for the tangy smell of her home. Before he leaves, Themba invites Lizzie to come with and get to know what the rest of the universe is like. However, Lizzie knows her place is in Sauerkraut Station, and as she waves goodbye to him, she hopes that they can meet again someday. 

However, her wish is soon forgotten. The war has gotten worse, and the station is caught right in the middle of it. Lizzie earns the title "The Angel of Sauerkraut Station" for her kindness and makeshift first-aid, but even Lizzie has to turn away some of the saddest of situations. Eventually, the station was compromised and the Denahues had only one option: two people must venture to seek help while one stays behind. Lizzie's courage led to her being stuck in a pitch-black station, screaming for help, but nobody replies. Still, with her intellect and experience, she manages to hold on until help arrives. After the war, she is still known as the Angel of Sauerkraut Station, and she sees that the wish she made long ago finally comes true.