Ever since their defeat in the Great Refusal decades ago, and all through their partial demilitarization when faced with Devlin Stone's Republic of the Sphere, the Clans have sought their place in the universe. Now one Clansman has found her vision, and will make a bid for power that will shake the very foundations of the Inner Sphere... Jade Falcon Galaxy Commander Malvina Hazen and her warriors are encamped on the planet Skye in their Occupation Zone, overseeing the consolidation of power on the worlds they've wrested from The Republic. When a ship appears at Skye's jump point and its commander declares a Trial of Possession for the wartime doctrine he claims Malvina stole from Clan Hell's Horses, Malvina sees her vision unfolding: she agrees to single BattleMech combat. Malvina emerges from the fray victorious - and inspired to ride her growing reputation into Clan Jade Falcon's halls of power. But her bold actions may herald the beginning of a civil war that could unmake not simply her own Clan, but the entire Clan way of life.