3105 - The Second Interstellar War has waged across space for eight years. The Joint Defence Campaign, consisting of the United Worlds Accord and its allies, has committed all available ships and personnel against the expansionist Æsynja Empire... But will it be enough? ....
In order to contact a friend in the Yakuza martial fellowship within the Navy, McAlmatov takes the Dragonfly to the remote Oberon Torus and uses a commercial sim salon to join her in a combat simulation. Xenobia recognises his fighting style and he gives her the evidence so that she can conduct her own discreet investigation.
They do not know who they can trust. Meanwhile the Battle Ark Shaka is on their trail, as is Snake...