Spithead, 1784. His Majesty's Frigate Undine sets sail for India and the seas beyond. Europe may be at peace - but in colonial waters the promises of statesmen count for little.

In an uneasy peace the expansion of trade and colonial development in little-known areas of the East Indies soon pushed aside the pretence and brought the guns' fury into the open. The dangers and the endless demands had to be faced by the man who commanded the only King's ship available.