Synopsis: From the back cover of the DAW first edition: "On the first day of the 21st Century, the first practical "utopian" state declared its independence. With all the world looking on with skepticism or outright antagonism, the Commonwealth was neither in the capitalist, or the communist bloc - it called itself the first truly free state. To continue to exist, it would have to outwit - and outfight - the entire world. Alexander Baldwin, former crack U.S. Aerospace pilot, had just signed up for the new country's orbital force when the rest of the world began its covert attack. From the start he was to learn the hard way the real meaning of liberty, the evolving art of space combat, and the priceless value of loyalty and love."