The heir apparent of the Lyran Common-wealth has been kidnapped, just when her secret betrothal to Prince Hanse Davion of the Federated Suns would cement the most powerful alliance in the Inner Sphere. Meanwhile, as two half brothers find themselves fighting on opposite sides of the Inner Sphere's endless battles...one uncovers a fiendish plot against the heir and undertakes to ensure her safety--and along with it, the safety of the entire Inner Sphere! * 2.6 million Roc/FASA books in print! * The BattleTech series has over 1.2 million copies in print! * BattleTech books regularly appear on the Locus bestseller list * MechWarrior 3: Mercenaries, released in April 1997, is the CD-ROM action game follow-up to the bestselling MechWarrior 2 from Activision * Wizards of the Coast, creators of Magic: The Gathering, is producing a BattleTech trading card game, containing nearly 300 pieces of original art! * Cross-promoted in board games and role-playing games * Michael A. Stackpole is the New York Times bestselling author of the Star Wars X-Wing: Rogue Squadron series! * Cover art by Roger Loveless