As the Fourth Imperium emerges into the New Era, starships from before Virus are a very rare commodity. Suddenly, the crew finds themselves on a quest to the outer reaches of their star system in search of a lost trading ship and its rich cargo. Rivals complicate matters as they, too, join in the hunt.
Among the borderworlds of the Fourth Imperium, a young Imperial knight calls on some old friends when he finds his family's land under attack by offworld raiders.
In the early days of the Fourth Imperium, advanced technology often translates to political and military power, particularly if abused. A retired Scout Leader hires the crew to retrieve a former colleague, who has abused his access to advanced technology to become a dictator on a backwater planet.