When justice is the only measure, there's no room for mercy.

Stranded in a galaxy far from home, General David Cohen and the CSV Lion of Judah make the best of an impossible situation. After saving twin alien worlds from self-inflicted Armageddon, David and his crew are hailed as both heroes and heretics. Religious zealots remain bent on destruction. To help the planetside Marine contingent in the fight against terrorists, the fleet needs resources to refuel their ships.

Resources that are in short supply as they search for a way home.

A nearby system has just what the general ordered. But when three of his most senior officers are captured and charged with theft, David offers himself in their place. In a society that values justice at any cost, however, his willing sacrifice falls on deaf ears.

To illustrate mercy, David challenges the aliens with one of their own archaic statutes—a galactic duel, winner takes all. But even with superior CDF technology, ten-to-one odds place the fleet at a distinct disadvantage.

And in a zero-sum game, there are no points for second place.