Payback is almost complete. Oh, there are still a few Goth and Orion ships alive and well that need to pay the ultimate price for their part in the destruction of a pirate camp. Pirate Flotilla One will locate and destroy those vessels in due time. Nevertheless, a message has been delivered. Both the Goths and the OrCons now know there are rules, even when fighting pirates. Violate the rules and be prepared for severe consequences. But this is the Badlands. Victories are short lived and defeats are forever. Anyone who thought the Goths were just going to roll over has not been paying attention for the last several decades. The career and reputation of the Goldenes Tor commander, Admiral Werner Beck, are hanging by a thread that is quickly unraveling. He has been given six months to make this situation right. Right is defined as bringing Pirate Flotilla One to combat and annihilating that force. Raferty Hawkins' head on a stick in front of Fleet Headquarters on Rosstrappe would go a long way to retrieving both career and reputation. There are other forces at work here. People and organizations who want to advance their own interests regardless of the cost to others. The Sunrise Grange is moving to ensure their monopoly on food production. The head of Colandra Enterprises puts a hit team on Raferty Hawkins. The Bries are more than willing to do the Goths' dirty work as long as there is a payday involved. It is not all fun and games for the other leaders of Flot 1. Killian O'Hare has to rescue a bunch of do-gooders who have been captured by the Goths. Shane Delacruz hears from his old commander who has her own agenda for coming to the Badlands. Tactical renews acquaintances with an old friend, a friend she would just as soon kill as talk to. Despite the many distractions, Raferty remains focused on the task at hand. The Goths have a plan to bring him to combat. He will gladly accept the invitation but on his terms. With the able assistance of Tactical, Baby Doll, Greg Paulsen, Dylan Whitlock, and all the others of Flot 1, he intends to take advantage of his enemy's desperation to achieve a victory over the Goths, the Sunrise Grange, and the Bries. Everyone has a mission. All these missions will guarantee a meeting in space. There will be no second chance for the loser of that encounter. Just what Raferty Hawkins is counting on.