Description

When miners start disappearing on colonized Planet Opus, General Richards takes his troops to investigate. He is certain he knows the cause, but each time he goes into the field, he loses two more men from the rear of his column. Planet Oriel asks for assistance from the Supreme Commander of the Lyra, a research and rescue spaceship docked at Planet Purlieu.

General Richards is annoyed. He doesn't need assistance – especially from Donte, Supreme Commander of a fleet of spaceships docked three weeks away at Planet Purlieu. He doesn't want interference from Mascots – Arcane natives contaminated with animal genes.

From the beginning, General Richards of the Opus militia resists any assistance from the Lyra. He finally gives Donte four days to accomplish what he has been unable to do in months. It takes the Lyra team only two days to discover pertinent facts.

Donte thinks he knows what is happening, but wants to conduct a joint mission with General Richards to be sure. General Richards grudgingly accepts the assistance, but has conditions that put Donte's crew in danger. Eventually, the General's methods result in the capture of Donte's wife and child.

When General Richards prohibits airships or Lyra troops from the area, Donte goes rogue. He threatens the Opus militia to keep them away while he finds his family. His actions draw criticism from three planets, but his family is more important.

When Donte is critically wounded with a poisoned arrow, his wife and child take over the mission of quelling a futile rebellion. This becomes a deadly mission – one that opens the door to some changes for everyone.