by Robert E. Vardeman (Author)
Pier Norlin and his misfit crew aboard the Empire warship Preceptor have scored the first victory over the mysterious invading Alien Death Fleet. The Fleet destroys the life on entire planets, then loots them of anything of value. Norlin has one small advantage other ships of the Empire lack: he has a captured alien energy weapon. But even this energy cannon is worthless against the waves of decadence flowing from the Emperor's Court where the magnitude of the threat is ignored. Rebellion is brewing among the frontier worlds and Norlin finds his sympathies increasingly lie with them although his pledge of honor as an officer is to maintain and defend the Empire against all enemies. Even among his own crew he finds rebellion. In spite of opposition from his superiors and the deadly power of the Alien Death Fleet, Norlin leads the Preceptor to victory after victory...until he encounters a foe he is powerless to fight. The Genetic Menace is an unstoppable force he cannot oppose.