The entire future of Sweytian/Mugdaran relations rests on one man's shoulders.

That one man, Jake Kavaliro, would really like nothing more than to retire.  Unfortunately, while on his last patrol he encounters a Mugdaran determined to restart a war that ended decades before.  Now Jake – who's never been known for his skill at diplomacy – has to go and explain what transpired to the Mugdaran Emperor in person, an emperor who's only had the position for a very short time and who is already being pressured by others to restart that long ago war.