Admiral Jenetta Carver, in Region One for just the second time since becoming Commander of the Second Fleet, receives a message that the Yenisei, on routine patrol, is overdue. Its last report stated they were attempting to overtake several small ships spotted on their DeTect monitors. 

Weeks later, the Yenisei is found. Although believed to have a hull impervious to most weapons fire, the Yenisei is riddled with holes. The crew is dead. The ship's computer log contains images of three attacking vessels with a configuration never before seen in GA space. It appears that a new enemy has emerged, one with weapons superior to anything Space Command has.