Daniel Hankerson was perfectly happy being just a mid-level spy, genetically-enhanced low-ranking member of the royal family and an avid poker player. Then the war started, someone tried to murder him, he met a strange war correspondent with an even stranger secret, and he found himself aboard a prototype warship going to the fringes of the Central Imperium. Then things got worse. An ancient enemy is approaching with a large fleet aided by people Daniel thought he could trust. Now Daniel must use his analytical skills to figure out a way to stop them before millions die.

Daniel Hankerson never wanted to be the Emperor. He was perfectly happy as a normal intelligence officer, analyst and a poker player. But fate never asks what you want.Now, after the biggest defeat in the history of the Central Imperium, Daniel is isolated aboard the communications ship, and for months he can only speak to his Imperium and listen to the news of mounting losses.His enemies continue to chase him and they have their own plans for controlling the Imperium. And for them to do that, Daniel Hankerson must die.

Civilization must continue. That's the motto of the ruling Hankerson family, and Daniel Hankerson has adopted it, too. He and his allies have survived betrayal and assassination attempts. On several occasions, he has frustrated the plans of his enemies, the New Protectorate, who believe in absolute order, to which everything else is secondary. In order to defeat the New Protectorate, they need a large fleet. But most of the Imperial Navy is on the other side of the Imperium, fighting a bloody war against another long-standing enemy, the Ralgars. Daniel's most difficult task yet lies ahead of he must persuade the Ralgars to conclude peace. The peacemakers are in even greater danger than the warriors, but if they are to survive and restore civilization, they have no choice. They are the defenders of civilization.

Emperor Daniel Hankerson and his allies, including his new wife-and-super commando-in-one Hila Eban, have successfully ended the war on the other side of the Central Imperium. A huge fleet is now assembling at planet Davenport for the final confrontation with the New Protectorate. But before the battle can start, Daniel needs to open the FTL gate leading to the heart of the Imperium. The gates are a legacy of an old civilization, the Protectors. However, there is an enemy in Daniel's own family, much closer and more personal. To deal with these things, the Emperor's Own Task Force must go to Earth. Earth is the cradle of civilization. And the motto of House Hankerson is Civilization must continue.