The Defender series space opera continues as Capt. Alexander and his crew search out the other Explorer Class ships. His goals are simple but not easily accomplished. He wants to warn his fellow captains and their crews about Supreme Executor Hale's plans to destroy all twelve ships and crews, form an alliance with the other eleven ships, and take down the most powerful man in the galaxy who isn't even a human. The problems at hand are, some of the others blame him for the attacks on them and their crews, some are willing to join him but don't have the confidence to openly support him, and others just don't know what to believe. Only the cold hard truth can get through to a few reluctant captains. The Commonwealth's treachery is revealed on multiple levels before their eyes are opened. Capt.

Nate Weiseman, a longtime friend of Capt. Alexander, comes to the aid of his friend with proof the Commonwealth cannot be trusted. The truth is presented to all of the available crews of the Explorer Fleet along with a basic plan of attack. The remaining holdouts take the opportunity to stop the rebellion before it can even get started. They have the authority and a Commonwealth mandate to execute any known followers of Pateras El Liontari. Acting on their orders, they attempt to kill their treasonous peers. Arni Sotaeras Liontari, son of Pateras, steps in and uses his power to stop the execution.