As a newly commissioned officer in the Empire, Biggs Darklighter is assigned to the frigate Rand Ecliptic. In his new post he learns that expediency is preferable to honesty, and that the deaths of innocents is an acceptable price to pay for covering one's mistakes. Horrified by what he has seen of the Empire in action, Biggs and a circle of his close companions plot to desert their posts and join the Rebellion. But when their plan is uncovered by another officer, desertion becomes a fight for survival!