The story covers the immediate rise in rank of a Dominion Fleet department head to command of his vessel, a space-going battle ship. After assuming command of the Dominion Ship, "Maelstrom," Graff's close friend is murdered as part of a plan to instigate a war with bands of refugees and settlers that a closed, secret conclave have deemed a possible future threat. After learning the truth, Graff sets out to avenge his friend, exacting his own form of private justice against the secret committee one by one.