Grand Admiral, Her Royal Highness Kris Longknife is up to her ears in problems again. While summoned to the Imperial Iteeche Court to be humanity's emissary, it turns out that what the Iteeche really want is a fighting admiral! You see, they've got this huge civil war going, and the imperial side isn't doing well. Kris now has command of the entire imperial; combined fleet. Sort of. The Iteeche Empire has a ten-thousand-year long history. There is nothing to keep them from saying, "We've always done it that way," pointing to a track record lasting for thousands of years. Even when Kris reminds them they're losing, many have a hard time changing. Many Iteeche also wonder if letting a human win this war for them isn't to lose everything already. Kris managed to win a defensive battle with a scratch force. Now she's thrown together a larger force and is ready to take the fight to the rebels.