In the 150-year old war of the Free Planets Alliance and the Galactic Empire, commanders Yang Wen-li and Reinhard Lohengramm distinguish themselves in their first meeting.

As the undefeated Reinhard presses the offensive in the Astarte system, Yang must salvage the situation and avoid total defeat for his fleet and the Alliance as a whole.

Yang is promoted in the aftermath of Astarte, while his friend Jessica, an aggrieved war widow, publicly denounces the Alliance leadership at a propagandized memorial service.

Reinhard returns to the Imperial Capital with his close friend and adjutant, Kircheis, to accept promotions for their service at Astarte, and to visit his sister Annerose.

Reinhard deploys Kircheis to quell an uprising of decadent nobles; Reinhard's punitive force must contend with an invincible defense grid, but also dissent within the ranks.

Yang has been tasked to capture the impregnable Iserlohn Fortress; Yang seeks to add a most unconventional force to his 13th Fleet.