Bob Slicker is back, with stature. But being King of the Sphere of Influence isn't everything he imagined. He's convinced someone's out to get him.Elton D Philpotts has never been away, and he also has newfound status. But being a Finance Director isn't everything he imagined. Is someone out to get Elton, too?Only one man has an ego big enough to carry two such massive grudges, but Martin Levison is gone, lost in deep space with no route home. So who else wants Philpotts and Slicker dead?The threat is bigger than one man. This time there's more to save than a lost planet or a ragtag band of mercenaries. This time the future of the whole Sphere of Influence is in play.