Across the Cestus Sector, space has ignited in a blaze of unusual stellar activity. All serviceable starships have been recalled to rendezvous at staging points across the federation border. Some have abandoned taskings that only yesterday seemed top-priority; others have been shoved out of space dock, their crews’ heads spinning with limited information and even more sparsely explained orders.

For the Britannia and Surveyor, the orders are to rally in the Samda system. A storm is brewing, and nobody likes the direction the wind is blowing.

Two colonies stand on the precipice of disaster.

One is in the direct line of fire, but its inhabitants stand their ground and refuse to evacuate.

The other, in very little danger, demands to be at the front of the queue.

The surveyor must buy time while Britannia negotiates the situation