An Imperial propagandist meets the flying ace legend he created to prepare her for the most difficult battle of her storied career.

Flight Commander Lucille von Shard: Hero of Bacchus fighter ace and a living legend heralded for her valour and piety. Propagandist Kile Simlex responsible for her fame shares none of this renown. Condemned to the ignominy of a scribe's cubicle cell his chance at liberation comes as a cryptic vid message claiming to be from Shard herself requesting his aid.



Under the von Shard family's patronage Simlex journeys to Deighton a world in open rebellion from the Imperium where he finds the commander a shadow of her former self. Near broken by eternal war her confidence and reputation crumbling Shard must somehow steel herself for her deadliest battle yet against a xenos mercenary of unparalleled skill. Can Simlex help her overcome this near-invincible enemy or merely watch as she is finally defeated?