Edwin Amis, new commander of the Eridani Light Horse, faces a tough decision: Should he openly defy the First Lord of the Star League? Sun-Tzu Liao, the First Lord, has sent Star League troops as "peace-keepers" to the St. Ives Compact to prevent open rebellion by angry citizens - but they're not seeking peace.

Amis knows the mission is only a guise for reclaiming territory for the Capellan Confederation, and he's ready to station counter-forces on Milos, close to the heart of the Capellan capital. But on Milos, things are already escalating - Death Commando Chen Shao and his ruthless partner, Nessa Ament, have secretly murdereed a dissident's family in cold blood. Now, in what could erupt into full-scale war, both forces are at each other's throats.