The Grazhochi, the elder race in the galaxy, have invited the younger races to come to their world to learn about each other and to build peace. But this comes as the militaristic Felith are cracking down on members of their race who protest their dictatorial rule.
Captain Ayers finds himself in the middle of an interstellar crisis, while dealing with a crisis of faith in his own government. He has to use the military, diplomatic, and political skills he learned as commander of Victory to cope with the challenges posed by the BEAR AT THE DOOR.