Jason Hunter has never had more enemies. Between the Sarn, the Xzev and now the virtually invincible Heretics, his ship and crew are in the crosshairs and facing overwhelming firepower. But the Argent officers have a few weapons of their own. One of those weapons is about to become sentient, and it lives inside a brand new generation of Tarantula Hawk gunship.

Lieutenant Talia Isari is the newest hot shot on the Argent team. She is brilliant, knowledgeable and hails from a race called the Shalay that tends to produce rather attractive women. She has advanced the GS-87 experimental warship program to unexpected heights. But before she can test her new weapons, she learns the shocking truth about DSS Tae San and the murderers responsible for its destruction.

Now Isari must make the biggest decision of her young life. Will she put her creations to the ultimate test, or watch helplessly as Jason Hunter's enemies close in?