The Empire is in chaos. The once--great Imperial Navy has been shattered in battle and lies burning in space, riven by a civil war that threatens to engulf humanity's future. For the revered Eternal Emperor is not the man his subjects thought him to be--and may not even be human at all. And it is Sten--Imperial bodyguard, spy, assassin, renegade--who now leads humanity's fight for survival. Taking command of the last rebel fleet, he sets out on a desperate quest to seek and destroy the dark source of his former master's power. Denounced as a traitor, hunted by forces loyal to the Emperor, Sten must risk everything to annihilate the Empire he vowed to protect.