John Chamberlin is a history professor on the frontier world of Maya, looking forward to gaining tenure and a wife, when civil war breaks out between human settled worlds. He and his younger brother enlist in the tiny Federal Navy and find themselves caught up in the enormous conflict that has engulfed humanity. John's intelligence and courage are both tested and rewarded as the conflict rages toward its inevitable conclusion. The two brothers are present at the birth of the fabled Hawk, but find that the impending end to fighting signals an even bigger challenge - winning the peace.