The insectoid alien race known as the Vitri have invaded the Imperial world of Naugh in retribution for the deal broken by Grand Admiral Aatroxiss. Doing the right thing has consequences, and by saving the Turook he has doomed another world to slaughter if the Empire can't take it back in time. Aatroxiss and his flagship, the Redemption, arrive to meet up with the Imperial forces already engaged in battle, but what the Emperor's sole Grand Admiral finds there is far more than expected. It's not a punitive measure designed to hurt the Empire for its broken deal. It's a campaign to break the back of the Imperial Fleet in the Frontier...which if successful, would invite far more invasions from other alien races if they sense weakness and opportunity. High Admiral Laro is already there, and living up to his reputation, has already squandered many Imperial resources and ships while the Vitri are proving to be far more clever and resourceful than anticipated. It's up to the Grand Admiral to right this mess, and to do it before it sparks a widespread uprising in the Frontier...