When new enemies appear, an old enemy becomes a friend…
and former allies turn deadly.

When the Commando team is summoned to Planet Horus by famed Navy Chief Admiral Gray Jack Dundee, all nerves are on edge. Dundee was Varn Tarl Sogan’s opposite number during the great war with the Arcturian Empire.

Dundee reveals that the Pirate Stars have amped up their raids, destroying entire colonies. With a stolen and refitted battleship, they stand to devastate the outer rim, and colonies are begging for help. Arcturian colonies.

If that wasn’t surprising enough, Dundee asks Varn to captain his flagship.

Command of a battleship is everything Varn’s hungered for, but attacking the pirates is very nearly a suicide mission. Moreover, even if he survives, four Arcturians are staking out Horus for their former admiral. They hate what he’s become, and they have orders to kill.

"Excellent SF Adventure!"—Andre Norton