This is the story of Commander Frye Charltos of the United Central Systems, and Admiral Padjan- can of the Federated Systems. Charltos, the new commander of Bridgeforce. Charltos has been promoted to admiral after the death of Admiral Tunneo. The hunks, the UCS's last gamble to turn the tide of battle, have failed. The races that wish to have no part in the war are under pressure to support one side or the other.