Conclave warships fended off four enemy fleets intent on attacking the Malia system. No one believes the fighting is finished. As anticipated, a fifth fleet of more sophisticated warships arrives. The commanders are armed with information from the previously defeated races, making it more difficult for the conclave to defend Cercia, the inhabited planet.

In an effort to diminish Messinant power over mercenary races, Vice Admiral Mila Pappas leads the first wave to gain a new ally, the Ondas. However, Mila’s arrival at the Kega military base ignites a mutiny headed by two commanding officers.

In the midst of the rebellion, the Darmian defenders and their friends, Sadie and Orgeth, are arrested and imprisoned. The fight to get free takes all the ingenuity they can muster. Still, heavy prices are paid.

Miranda and Z choose a different path to locate the Messinants. Conversations with Luminance, an imprisoned Messinant, indicate an opportunity. The protectors request the aid of a freighter captain and his combat veterans.

At a far distant Messinant dome, the protectors speak with Luminance. When he leaves, they follow his ship. Cycles of searching lead them to a Messinant world and an underground incarceration system.

Knowing Messinant paranoia, extreme caution is exercised in investigating the incarceration tunnel. It proves to be a smart decision. A deadly trap set for anyone mistakenly attempting to discover the source of Messinant energy is ignited.