When the Earth Space Force consular ship, the Lady Denari. is attacked on Earth, Laurie Denari still does not comprehend the scope of the fear and resistance many of Earth's peoples feel about the very existence of such a fleet, or its alien commander. She must learn to deal with those who oppose it, those who wish to destroy it, and those who would steal its advanced technologies to use against their neighboring nations, or perhaps to conquer the world.At the same time, Laurie must deal with personal issues between herself and her human lover, Vice Fleet Commander Doctor Kenneth Harris, with fleet policy changes, with spies, saboteurs, assassins, and the enemy Krev forward observers; and she must also handle the arrival of a multi-species alien fleet, determine whether they are friend or foe, and deal with the actions of its various factions. Will the ESF locate and capture the Krev forward observers already hiding on Earth? Will the on-coming fleet attempt to conquer Earth, or bargain peacefully for lands to colonize?Will Laurie discover a supra-national organization bent on world domination?