Daniel Hankerson was perfectly happy being just a mid-level spy, genetically-enhanced low-ranking member of the royal family and an avid poker player. Then the war started, someone tried to murder him, he met a strange war correspondent with an even stranger secret, and he found himself aboard a prototype warship going to the fringes of the Central Imperium. Then things got worse. An ancient enemy is approaching with a large fleet aided by people Daniel thought he could trust. Now Daniel must use his analytical skills to figure out a way to stop them before millions die.