10,000 years ago, humanity was almost wiped out. Now they've returned to claim their inheritance. After a series of attacks by mysterious ships threatens the Imperium’s plans to expand, the Admiralty sends out Kaia Marinoch to investigate. A newly minted Lieutenant Commander and one of the Imperium’s first special forces Viper operatives—a blend of starship captain and commando—she is given the Imperium’s most advanced warship and sent off to confront their enigmatic foes. From clashes with her XO to dealing with Admirals who want to scrap the V.I.P.E.R. Initiative, the maiden cruise of the warship SIN Assured is filled with more dangers to Kaia's career than just death. Still in mourning after the murder of her sister at the hands of pirates, Kaia must learn to temper her anger and prejudice against her non-Human Zahex crew as she battles competing pirates and corporate interests. She soon finds that things in the Opherian Expanse are not as expected. Now she just has to make it back alive!