The empire of uplifted species is at war. Invaders are attacking board star systems, and even the best of the Senate's Leviathans are only able to stem the losses. But, when the invading enemy sets up a trap in a remote star system, and the imperial battle craft are destroyed, a new kind of operation is presented and approved by Senate Prime. Savengers, treasure hunters, and salvage operators are sent in to recover what remains--perhaps, self-preservation and greed with succeed where duty and valor failed.