The disaster on Platmore Five isn't adding up. Scientists and engineers on both Skywatch bases and warships are finding evidence of everything but a disrupted fusion reactor, and that can only mean someone or something fully intended for Sarn forces to create a much bigger disaster than originally thought.

Meanwhile, stories of demons and wizards are being whispered between commands. Admiral Powers and his staff have discovered what looks very much like destructive magic spells being used against security marines aboard the warship Curacao. Without raising a potentially panic-inducing alarm, the admiral quietly gets word to Captain Hunter to be on the lookout for treachery where he might least expect it.

It turns out the captain is well into planning some magic of his own. With the help of executive officer O'Malley, the unorthodox ideas of DSS Argent's officers just might find a way to put the interstellar range of the fleet pinnace together with the altogether unexpected power of the conversion drive and create a new battle doctrine that nobody, including the Sarn coalition, is prepared for!

After the destructive events of the Fox Racer Gate engagement, humanity needs a counteroffensive. The battleship Argent just might be the vessel that delivers it just in the nick of time!