Fifty years ago the two countries of Casteran and Nidol fought a bitter war. Casteran prevailed and over the decades the uneasy peace has grown into a tolerant trading partnership. Newly commissioned Casteranian Captain Andrew Cutter, son of the hated and famous retired General Cutter, receives his first posting to Madlow, a hopeless dead end remnant of the last war. Newly commissioned Nidolise Daluav Victoria Sels, daughter of First Minister Aloysius Sels, receives her first posting to the until now quiet disputed border area of Madlow. Madlow changes everything.