It is a dark time for the Alliance, with their forces scattered before the advancing legions of the unstoppable Star Empire. Further disastrous news arrives that General Makos and his loyal Byotai warriors have been utterly routed in battle, leaving the Alliance no option but to fall back to Helios. Nate returns home with Battlefleet Victorious, only to find the entire Alliance fleet gathered to give battle. Admiral Churchill has assembled many squadrons of cruisers, destroyers and battleships for the inevitable arrival of their undefeated foe. Princeps Tahkeome and his grand fleet is just days away, and soon he will arrive at Helios, the gateway to the Alliance and beyond. There will be no rest for Nate and his friends, and they are hastily mobilised for battle. Heroes of the past and present reunite, bringing cadres of warriors and mercenaries from a dozen worlds to stand up to the invasion. Nate will face a battle unlike any he has seen before as the combined might of three great powers join battle in a fight that will change the galaxy forever.