A prequel to Campbell's }Lost Fleet{ novels, this is set in a universe where Earth is no longer its centre, and humanity is rapidly establishing new colonies. Written under a pseudonym by John G. Henry, a retired Naval officer. Earth is no longer the centre of the universe. After the invention of the faster-than-light jump drive, humanity is rapidly establishing new colonies. But the vast distances of space also mean that the old order of protection offered by Earth has ceased to exist. When the colony of Glenlyon is attacked, it's up to Robert Geary, a young former junior fleet officer, and Mele Darcy, a former enlisted Marine, to face down warships and armoured soldiers - or die trying.