The lost fleet

the long version

Finally back in Alliance space, Captain "Black Jack" Geary is promoted to fleet admiral - even though the ruling council are terrified that he may stage a military coup. Geary's new rank means that he has the authority to negotiate with the Syndics, who have suffered tremendous losses and may finally be willing to end the war. With grim determination, Gery leads the fleet back out into Syndic space. He knows that surrender never comes easy. But even as he steels himself to confront the immediate enemy, he is all too aware that a greater alien threat lurks on the far side of Syndic-occupied space..