The Benefactors' Project Billiards has achieved its goal. The independent nations of the Orion Arm are organizing against the perceived threat from the Confederation and the Laanyr Clan Heer.

Meanwhile, Port Admiral Jiāng Tāo has called the Admiralty into conference to plan their assault on the Benefactors. But one more piece needs to be determined. Where is the main Benefactor base? Lieutenant Evan Taylor leads a tactical team to the Tanner Forest Preserve on the planet Bwarlov. There they will encounter the pusher who has caused the suicides of so many Benefactor pawns.

After the Battle of Owroo, Greatmind Threetgsh seeks the home of the drudges to return the unfortunates they liberated. In Laanyr space, Herdmaster Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Sunish brings the Family of Lystra to Veldthome to negotiate their alliance. And a call for help from the Kralk dominated species, the Linook, is heard.

Events are coming to a head. Can the allies neutralize the Benefactors? Will war break out in the Orion Arm? Will the Family join the Laanyr Clan Heer? Can the Linook be helped?