David Drake [is] the reason a lot of people got started reading military science fiction, because it's always a good idea to start with the best.—David WeberThe jackals are moving in! The barbarians of the outer reaches intend to play both Cinnabar and Cinnabar's sworn enemy, the totalitarian Alliance, against each other and bring both empires down like an enormous house of cards. The barbarian pirates have commandeered and hot-rodded starships that can outmaneuver even Captain Leary's trusty RCN corvette. But speed and tech don't count for everything. The Princess Cecile has the incomparable Daniel Leary and his trusted aide and friend Adele Mundy in command. Faced with such grit, bravery and intelligent misdirection the pirates might find they've bitten off more than they can chew.