After 300 years, humanity has crept outward from Earth as far as the Sigma Draconis star system, popularly known as Dragon Stead. The Faranan colony wages war on the rest of the solar system and tries to wrest power from Erenarch, the capital planet. Recruits for the war effort include a Darisian street urchin named Miranda Powers. After years spent fighting in interplanetary war theaters, Miranda distinguishes herself as a battle-hardened officer in Network Command, but her true talents lie in strategy and training young recruits. The next phase in Miranda's career will be grooming young geniuses for leadership at Erenarch Academy. But just as it appears that peace across Dragon Stead is finally within reach, a startling discovery on Daris calls her back to her home planet.