The Federation colony on Changxi IV, located in the politically sensitive Changxi System near Deep Space 4, has suffered repeated Vaadwaur assaults since the collapse of the Underspace and the onset of the Blackout. Now, its orbital defenses have failed, and the colony is exposed.

Evacuation efforts are underway, but ground instability, delayed shuttle launches, and local leadership refusing to abandon vulnerable populations have caused critical delays. As a Vaadwaur strike force closes in, the situation becomes desperate.

The USS Seoul, a New Orleans-class vessel equipped for security operations, is the only starship within immediate range. Tasked with holding orbit and protecting transports until the final wave can escape, the Seoul must navigate tactical combat, resource limitations, and moral dilemmas that test the resolve of her crew.

This mission explores the emotional cost of command, the limits of endurance, and the harsh reality that survival may come at a price. Can the Seoul and her crew contain the sky long enough to make a difference?