When Captain Daniel Leary and spy Adele Mundy try to take a vacation on the fringes of human space, they don't have long to rest, as they soon must defend galactic civilization from traitors, giant reptiles, and barbarian pirates.

"Roy Olfetrie planned to be an officer in the Republic of Cinnabar but when his father was unmasked as a white-collar criminal he had to take whatever was offered. What is offered is a chance to accompany Captain Daniel Leary and Lady Adele Mundy as they go off to start a war that will put Roy at the sharp end. Duty snatches Roy from the harem of a pirate chief to a world of monsters, from interstellar reaches in a half-wrecked starship to assassination...

With the war continuing between the Republic of Cinnabar and the tyrannical Alliance, Daniel Leary, recently promoted to commander, and his crew are given the task of preventing Dunbar's World from falling to an invasion by the planet Pellegrino, despite the heavy odds against them.

Lt. Daniel Leary and Signals Officer Adele Mundy battle a ruthless, paranoid officer, conspiracy, anarchy, and an overwhelming Alliance force.

Daniel Leary is Cinnabar's most successful space captain. His friend, Lady Adele Mundy, is its most efficient spy. But they've got their hands full this time as they face a world of slaves, where the most savage beasts in the jungle used to be human.