Near-Shakespearean tragedy in a galactic setting. Who in this novel can be classified as "good guys" or "bad guys? " . . The corrupt and dissolute aristocracy governing Earth's empire? . . The alien Merseians, lurking in the interstellar dark, poking and prodding at the Empire, awaiting its fall? . . The former High Admiral who can no longer tolerate watching the Empire fall apart, and finds he MUST lead a rebellion, even though he knows it's wrong, even though he knows it's hopeless? . . The young officer Dominic Flandry, scornful of the collapsing Imperium, but true to his duty? . . Or the beautiful woman loved by both men, turned into a pawn by the reptilian aliens? YOU decide! The barbarians in their long ships waiting at the edge of the Galaxy waited for the ancient Terran Empire to fall, while two struggled to save it: ex-Admiral McCormac, forced to rebel against a corrupt Emperor, and Starship Commander Flandry, the brilliant young officer who served the Imperium even as he scorned it. Trapped between them was the woman they both loved, but couldn't share: the beautiful Kathryn - whose single word could decide the fate of a billion suns.