Reinhard's speech has thrown the whole High Council of the Free Planets Alliance into complete chaos. Public opinion is polarized between disapproval of a folly populist decision, and support for a resolution that honors the core values of the Alliance. For Trunicht, there couldn't be better opportunity to further strengthen his influence over the military. As the future of the galaxy seems to hinge upon a bratty seven-year-old, Julian is appointed with a new assignment that would take him right to the eye of the growing storm.