Daniel Leary is a lieutenant in the Cinnabar Navy. Adele Mundy, whose family was massacred by the Government. Kostroma, which is under threat of invasion. Daniel, Adele, and the crew they gather aren't much to stand in the way of an invasion fleet. They have nothing on their side but each other and heaven help whatever tries to stand in their way!

Theirs is a friendship forged in hell...Daniel Leary is a lieutenant in the Republic of Cinnabar Navy with no money and no prospects since he quarrelled with his ruthless, politically influential father. Adele Mundy is a scholar with no money and prospects since her family was massacred for conspiring against the Cinnabar government. Kostroma is a wealthy planet that depends on diplomacy to stay independent in a galaxy whose two great powers, Cinnabar and Alliance, battle for supremacy. In a few hours, diplomacy is going to fail Kostroma. Daniel, Adele, and the scratch crew they gather aren't much to stand in the way of a powerful invasion fleet; but, just possibly, they're enough. They have nothing on their side but each other-and heaven help whatever tries to stand in their way...