Sten's luck seems to have deserted him. Having been assigned a tacdivision in the Fringe Worlds, he soon discovers that the Imperial Officers are more interested in having fun than honing their fighting skills. The enemy Tahn couldn't have picked a better time or place to launch their long-planned attack against the Empire. Sten and his men are outgunned and outmanned?but Sten isn't going to give up without a fight.