Helm lieutenant Gordon Malloy surprises command by applying for the CO training program, yet doesn't do badly, but must reconsider his motivation. Captain Ed Mercer is off to spend some saved shore leave with his lover, lieutenant Janel Tyler. Only when the shuttle to the remote planet she chose is captured by a Krill squad, he discovers she's a figment. It's vindictive Krill Teleya, who assumed the fictitious identity of his perfect mate just to kidnap him and extract vital military secrets. But they are attacked by a hostile race, must flee together in a Krill shuttle and survive on the planet, chased by an enemy patrol, which requires collaboration to survive.
—KGF Vissers