The resources of Earth had been stretched to all known limits by the thirty years war, that had been waged against Deorca, the only inhabited planet of the dark constellation Cetor Major. Captain Greg Madison of Trans-Solar Defence, on patrol in Middle Space, thought the war would drag on for another thirty years, with Earth sinking into inevitable defeat. The Deorcans were reptilian; ruthless invaders from from beyond the Black Deeps, and they intended killing all known life forms throughout the Universes. Then came the ultimatum! Earth had to surrender or be destroyed by a missile that would cause the disintegration of the solar system! Surrender was unthinkable, and that was why Madison and his crew found themselves on a nightmare voyage to the dark constellation. It was life or death for the whole of humanity, and the outcome lay in a delicate balance.