Negligent leadership has left the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth on the brink of collapse. If something isn't done soon, its implosion will leave many worlds and many lives vulnerable to factions eager to conquer and exploit them... A MechWarrior without peer, Thaddeus Marik has become the figurehead for a new community of planets attempting to resurrect the Free Worlds League. After defeating a Lyran invasion on the successful alliance with the Protectorate Coalition, Marik must now ally himself with Jessica Halas-Hughes if the new League is to have a chance. Having Marik and his forces at her side gives Jessica much-needed credibility and greater influence on Oriente. But old hatreds die hard and soon erupt into a war against enemies who will stop at nothing to destroy the founding of a new League...