Peace is hard, but it is still better than the alternative. Five years have passed since the Dark Ones' attack on Va'Sh, and the Coalition occupation of the planet is approaching its official end. During this turbulent time, Imperial Sword Bearer Ben Gibson is ordered to the Imperial Capital to provide advice and counsel to the Va'Shen Emperor. His mission drastically changes, however, after the Va'Shen Empress is shot by a human gunman during a ceremony and now hovers between life and death. With interstellar peace in the balance, Ben must somehow uncover the truth behind the attempted assassination or Va'Sh and Earth may once again be thrown into war.