Half a century of war between the United Earth Government and the Principalities of Raia ended with a ceasefire in 2281. A year into the peace, the 18th scouting party reports something alarming: the Raian capital of Melkide has been seized by an army of unknown origin. Earth mobilizes a response—officially to retake the capital and protect Raian civilians. Unofficially, there's a second objective the public won't hear about: eliminate the unknown force and bring Raia permanently under Earth's control.