The Terran Interplanetary Empire has not seen such days of peace for many years. The civil war between Terra and Alpha Centauri has diminished to just the occasional scuffle. In this calm, Captain Rhys Griffiths has risen through the ranks largely untested by conflict. He is delighted to find himself in line to become the youngest admiral Spaceways has ever seen. But when one of Rhys' closest and oldest friends defects to Alpha Centauri, it sets in motion a chain of events that will irrevocably change Rhys' life. For better or for worse is yet to be seen.