Approximately 7 generations after their futuristic minded multi-billionaire founder established the scientific colony in the El-Dora star cluster, the closely integrated technical association had begun to fragment. A subgroup, unsanctioned, implemented their theory of human behavior in a group of colony worlds, precipitating an interstellar war. After the war began, his famous physicist father missing and presumed dead, William K Middleton the third (Will) graduates high school. An unrecognized computer genius he can't afford university and will soon be drafted. He enlists in the space navy and qualifies for advanced computer training. His genius helps protect the school and planet from an attack. Sent to one base and then another by procurement officers trying to anticipate the need for his skills he is eventually assigned to an asteroid where his genius but low rank precipitates his promoting to high (acting) rank. Assigned to make the computer system so it actually works Will uncovers treason then pushes himself to the breaking point to make the base battle-ready. When 80% of the base's personnel are accidentally poisoned he again proves his command skills and is sent to OTS then Staff College then is put in charge of a factory making the top-secret advanced robot ships he designed. Making this task routine he is abruptly promoted but ordered aboard a Capitol ship in the guise of a junior officer to solve a mystery that suddenly grows deadly, threatening the lives of all onboard the Federation Navy Ship (FNS) Omaha.