Nadya, hosting an intelligent parasite, is now an experienced naval officer with two battles against the Raider's cruiser packs. But she continues to be seen as an alien, generating disgust, fear, raw hate, and attempts on her life. To add to her problems, the Raiders have identified her as contributing directly to their bad luck and have designated her a dybbuk-demon-and have set a price on her dead or alive. With the Raiders a potential threat to the SAS, life has become a little too interesting.