Ten years ago, starship captain Arthur Laner resigned from Enforcement, started a salvage business, and became a pirate. Now, hundreds of light years from Earth, a Human exploration vessel and a Ja-gee warship meet for the first time. The results are disastrous, and the Interstellar Concordance is unprepared for the coming war with the Ja-gee Empire. Laner is dragged back into Enforcement, even as his former comrades confront the Ja-gee and perish amidst the debris of their shattered starships. Given a green crew and an unproven starship, Laner must bury his past and race to the Front, ever closer to confrontation with a seemingly unstoppable foe.
Ten years ago, starship captain Arthur Laner resigned from Enforcement, started a salvage business, and became a pirate. Now, hundreds of light years from Earth, a Human exploration vessel and a Ja-gee warship meet for the first time. The results are disastrous, and the Interstellar Concordance is unprepared for the coming war with the Ja-gee Empire. Laner is dragged back into Enforcement, even as his former comrades confront the Ja-gee and perish amidst the debris of their shattered starships. Given a green crew and an unproven starship, Laner must bury his past and race to the Front, ever closer to confrontation with a seemingly unstoppable foe.