With the success of Operation Phantom Flame, the Abh Empire has found itself in control of vast amounts of territory once controlled by its enemy, the United Mankind. As the Empire begins a new operation to mop up the remaining resistance, Lafiel and Jinto find themselves placed in the role of Territorial Ambassadors on the planet of Lobnas II. The Abh find dealing with surface worlds distasteful enough, but complicating matters further is the fact that Lobnas II is a prison planet whose population disagrees on the best future for their newly liberated world. When the United Mankind returns in an attempt to reclaim Lobnas, an angry revolt leaves Jinto stranded in the chaos. Lafiel must decide: rescuing the man who has been her advisor and friend or saving her ship from the oncoming enemy fleet.