Watching HMS Eclipse through the geosynch spaceport window, Officer James Dunne, a newly minted graduate of the Royal Interstellar Service Academy, thinks his first assignment will be routine . . . an easy going excursion on an aging deep-space cruiser, heading into the Dark, on a mission to explore the farthest reaches of known space.

Although repeatedly warned "not to rock the boat", it soon becomes obvious that it is too late for the young Officer!

Dunne's survival will depend on his ability to separate power from perversion while enduring the corruption and control of others!