"Ship cleared for action, sir!"

           The year is 1800. The fate of nations hangs in the balance as six British merchantmen lie captured by the Russians in neutral Baltic waters. Unless Rear-Admiral Richard Bolitho can win this deadly gamble and free the ships in time, Denmark will be drawn into the war, and the weakest link of the Franco-Russian alliance will be secured.

           This time the fighting sailor leads his squadron alone, his delicate mission endangered as a high-placed enemy seeks to settle old scores by sabotage.