In just a few months Alacrity Fitzhugh and Hobart Floyt had claimed Hobart’s inheritance from the ruler of a small interstellar empire, then returned to Earth and toppled its government. They’d also become good friends. But Alacrity had more important goals than bodyguarding Hobart – he wanted command of the fabulous White Ship, the starship designed to track down the secrets of the ancient and powerful Precursor aliens. Yet it took only a few minutes at the White Ship’s helm for Alacrity to learn that a Captain’s problems can be tougher than the ‘real work’ of a knockabout Spacer – and that solving them could cost a piece of his heart.