The history between the Solan Empire and the Andosian League is full of minor wars. Interstellar war has never erupted, but it has come dangerously close far too many times. A recent brush with large scale warfare compels the Solan Imperial Council and the Andosian High Command to seek a binding peace agreement. But an attack by the host planet threatens the promise of lasting peace. The Imperial Council sends in the Gordians, an secret group formed to deal with sensitive situations where military action is required, but official Imperial Navy units cannot be used. They are given the Gordian Mandate: "Cut the Knot," meaning take whatever action is necessary.