Damon Gyles, a talented Deltan Soarer pilot in the Delta-Linus stellar navy, becomes disillusioned with his latest career move to the Militia when he realizes the specialized training he is receiving is to be used to commit cold-blooded murder... ...and this grates against his conscience. His idea of warfare is two foes equally armed and facing death on equal terms; assassination is not warfare in his book. With no other alternative, he deserts his military career on Delta and flees. Lord Eidell Isolde, the governor/ruler ...
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Damon Gyles, a talented Deltan Soarer pilot in the Delta-Linus stellar navy, becomes disillusioned with his latest career move to the Militia when he realizes the specialized training he is receiving is to be used to commit cold-blooded murder... ...and this grates against his conscience. His idea of warfare is two foes equally armed and facing death on equal terms; assassination is not warfare in his book. With no other alternative, he deserts his military career on Delta and flees. Lord Eidell Isolde, the governor/ruler of Paldaar, and Chief Consul of the Interstellar Council of Megna-Terran, the driving force of a galactic initiative against the aggression of Delta-Linus and other worlds like it, mysteriously vanishes while on a diplomatic mission to Alpha-Bynaurus. A galactic war is in the offing when Delta-Linus and Baldaninus join military and stellar forces. Eidell Isolde's sons, Owen and Corey, are targeted for assassination, and, his daughter, Cassia, is abducted. By a quirk of fate, Damon Gyles inadvertently steps between Corey and his assassins. Shortly thereafter, he leads a rescue party to free Cassia from her Deltan captors. Although he has saved Corey's life, Corey's suspicious nature tries Damon's patience, pushing him dangerously close to his warlike heritage. Cassia's caring and inquisitive nature awakens emotions he had long forgotten and for her sake, fights to keep them under control. With the sudden realization that Delta-Linus is one of the chief culprits in the attack on the Isoldes' organization, Gyles, now a "man without a country" or world, knows he can never return to Delta-Linus. Yet, if he stays with the Isoldes, he fears dire consequences if and when his past comes to light. To fulfill a promise to their father, Cassia assumes her father's position as Chief Consul of the Interstellar Council, and Corey takes command of the Interstellar forces. Realizing the Isoldes are novices in the realm of warfare, Gyles' willingness to help them brings conflict when his strategic advice goes unappreciated, eventually raising probing questions and more accusations from Corey. Complicating the matter is a growing love relationship between Damon and Cassia. As a galactic war heats up, Damon's past comes to light and Corey and Cassia deal with their fears and prejudices as Damon struggles with his own identity. He must deal with his past: desertion versus his growing loyalty to the Isoldes; Corey's animosity versus his own frustration in dealing peaceably with the young man's anger; Cassia's love versus his inability to accept the responsibility of returning that love... ...his Deltan blood spoiling for a good fight versus his conscience searching for peace. Time proves the essential element for thinking things through, allowing hot emotions to cool, and putting old grudges aside. Eventually, a mature Corey comes to grips with his own character flaws. He and Damon settle their differences and a friendship develops between them. With the close personal wars resolved, Damon and the Isoldes' energies turn toward the "real" enemy... ...and the culmination of the Megna-Terran conflict.
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