The demands of military service can be rough on loved ones, whether husband and wife or brother and sister, and that is no different for Esther and Noah Lysander, twin children of General Ryck Lysander, former Chairman of the United Federation. But blood still runs deep, and when Esther, now a battalion commander, finds herself suddenly without a sergeant major, she turns to family. Against all advice, she pulls strings to get Noah assigned to the battalion to assist her in preparing it for a routine deployment.

"Routine" deployments don't always remain routine for the Federation Marines and Navy, and soon, the battalion is thrust into action. It is one thing to deal with port visits and show-the-flag ceremonies, but when things get serious, can Esther and Noah lead the battalion in combat as the professional warriors they've become, or will their family ties affect their decisions?