The Bifrost Bridge of the Gods begins operation. Boris Kosakov becomes a Lieutenant leading a Leepa scout company aboard the Tau Fleet Carrier Scorpion. As the scope of Tau space expands, they often bump into aliens of all types. Sometimes it is no problem. Sometimes it is a rather violent bump. With each military confrontation the Tau face a choice, become stronger or disappear in defeat. Out beyond the Orion nebula, allied ships are disappearing, adding another worry to an Earth already under threat.