The war against the aliens continues in the Fringes of known space. Full scale fleet battles haven't been seen and only pockets of alien forces engage the United Systems of Earth Navy. When a USE colony is attacked and an ally suddenly goes silent, James Roberts is once again ordered aboard a newly commissioned fleet carrier and with its battle group has to investigate the situation. But things aren't what they seem when he arrives and is quickly spins out of control and leaves the battle group in unknown territory.