The entire future of Sweytian/Mugdaran relations rests on one man's shoulders. That one man, Jake Kavaliro, would really like nothing more than to retire. Unfortunately, while on his last patrol he encounters a Mugdaran determined to restart a war that ended decades before. Now Jake - who's never been known for his skill at diplomacy - has to go and explain what transpired to the Mugdaran Emperor in person, an emperor who's only had the position for a very short time and who is already being pressured by others to restart that long ago war.