Grant has come a long way in the short time since his graduation from the academy. His leadership abilities have established him as one of the greatest commanders that the empire has ever known. Now he has to teach others his skills and keep the empire alive at the same time fighting off the Culmar as the wars on two fronts, i.e. the human home front and the war front as they try to blitz the empire using humans as pawns in their devious game.
Starting out with the base of officers and enlisted that were qualified on the 'Baldwin', Grant continues to build off the core of his old ship. For those that were exposed to his leadership style, they know what is expected of them. For their XOs and other new officers and enlisted, the learning curve is steep.
The pressure from both fronts mounts as the 'big three', of Grant, Emperor Robert Tillman, and Fleet-Admiral Fleming try to hold their beloved empire together.