As the galaxy spirals into open warfare, Tyler Stone has joined forces with his former enemies, the Terillians. Stone now knows the new war has been manufactured by the First Families to satisfy the Xen Empire's demand for more slaves-a move necessitated by the spread of a deadly virus that is killing off huge portions of their human chattel. Complicating matters is the Saint, a con-man turned messiah who begins to unite the planets under his brand of religion-one that creates fanatical followers. Stone must confront not only the enemy but challenges to his own identity while he and his companions battle to save millions from enslavement and death.