The worst has happened: Fleet is tearing itself apart. Some of the mutineers see injustice in the unequal spread of the rejuvenation drugs that offer virtual immortality to the rich; others are simply thirsty for power, or for blood. The Loyalists, meanwhile, fight desperately to preserve the rule of law in Familias Regnant space.

As the intergalactic war rages on, Captain Heris Serrano and Lady Cecelia's nephew plot a daring rescue. In the meantime, Heris tries to mend relationships with her former crew.

Rejuvenants fear the backlash caused by bad drugs: they want nothing to interfere with their pursuit of long life, or the profit that comes from promising it to others. Neighbor states fear the aggressive expansion of the Familias Regnant, fuelled by population growth and extended lifespan.

Rejuvenates want nothing to interfere with their pursuit of long life, or the profit that comes from promising it to others. Use of bad drugs for rejuvenation is a real fear. Neighboring states fear the aggressive expansion of the Familias Regnant.

Esmay Suiza wasn't a member of a great Navy family like the Serranos. She'd had to make her way on grit alone, which meant it wasn't likely she'd ever make admiral and "hoist her own flag." Well, that was fine with her: all Esmay wanted was a secure berth where she could be part of something greater than herself, and otherwise just live her life in peace. But what we want or think we want from life and what we get are seldom the same-- and one day...

The worst has happened: Fleet is tearing itself apart. Some of the mutineers see injustice in the unequal spread of the rejuvenation drugs that offer virtual immortality to the rich; others are simply thirsty for power, or for blood. The Loyalists, meanwhile, fight desperately to preserve the rule of law in Familias Regnant space.

Heris Serrano-- formerly a commander in the Regular Space Service-- must take whatever job she can get after her resignation under a cloud. What she can get is the captaincy of a rich old lady's space yacht ... a rich old horsewoman, who has little liking for the military, and whose spoiled nephew Ronnie (and his equally spoiled friends) have been foisted on her after his folly embarrassed the family. Lady Cecelia's only apparent interest is horses--...