In the entire year 2420, war looms between the galaxy’s two most effective empires: the tyrannical Theocracy and the protectionist Commonwealth. Caught in the middle sits the occupied outpost system Cadiz, where young official and aristocrat Katherine “Kat” Falcone discovers herself prematurely advertised in the behest of her powerful dad. Against her personal wishes, Kat is sent to command word the Commonwealth navy’s newest warship, Lightning.

Determined to demonstrate she has value beyond her family name, Kat struggles to make her crew’s respect and discover her footing as the youngest captain in naval history. She quickly discovers the situation on Cadiz is normally even worse than anyone in power anticipated. War isn’t only a possibility-it is certainly imminent. The admiral in position to bolster defenses won’t plan a battle. Can Kat find a way to research the foe, alert the Commonwealth, and whip an entire fleet into fighting shape prior to the Theocracy’s war machine destroys everything she retains dear?