Twenty years have passed since the 2nd battle for Marduk. The System States Coalition, which now includes all Old Federation colonized planets, has become unwieldy and rigid. Powerful member states like the Terran Imperium are resorting to corporate warfare and commerce raiding (disguised as piracy) to sidestep the mutual defense clause that open warfare would activate. Regent Gail Foley-Bentrik, will have to face difficult decisions if there's to be any hope of reversing the current slide down the slippery slope toward the new Dark Age. With tensions rising and the Coalition powder keg ready to explode at any moment, can she keep the multi-planet Kingdom of Marduk from being overwhelmed by the forces of chaos?
