Frank Nyman is back in the first of a new series of stories. His old nemesis Admiral Krause calls him in to investigate and quell unrest on the planet Clay in the Cardiff system. Along the way he is drafted to facilitate the unification of the nation-states on Caledon. He is challenged by a resource-strapped navy and a young, homicidal religionist, who is bent on killing him. He is joined, once again, by Smith & Jones along with Stephanie Howard and Hai Ciera for new adventures. Frank's life is changed dramatically with new events and characters entering his life.