The families who rule the People's Republic of Haven are in trouble. The treasury's empty, the proles are restless, and civil war is imminent. To keep in power they know exactly what they need: a short, victorious war to unite the people and fill their coffers once more. It's a card they've played often, and all that stands in their way is the Star Kingdom of Manticore and its threadbare allies; enemies who, in the past, have always backed down. Only this time the Peeps face something different. This time they're up against Captain Honor Harrington and a Royal Manticoran Navy that's prepared to give them a war that's far from short - and anything but victorious.