Sally has only just arrived home, but now she is needed again. She has no idea what to expect when the U.N. Space Commissioner calls her into his office for a hushed meeting, but when she hears that a Japanese ship may be on its way to New Ontario, she knows her homecoming will be short-lived. This time she will be commanding a military ship, which apparently includes a mysterious and possibly problematic second in command. With a short deadline, she must begin to assemble her crew and return to service.