Katana Tormark bears the burden of disgrace. A traitor's actions against her father discredited her family. Now, to regain the respect the Tormark clan deserves, she openly challenges the Coordinator's policy of nonaggression with The Republic, hoping to push House Kurita into a conflict-a conflict the Coordinator apparently doesn't want.

Warlord Mitsura Sakamato believes Katana is making House Kurita look weak, and he is determined to turn the situation to his advantage. For he has his own designs on ruling the Combine, and he's not going to let the daughter of a dishonored samurai stand in his way...