Davra Andraste was always told she'd make captain by 25. She unexpectedly makes it with time to spare. And her first mission is daunting: Take the Compact's most advanced starship into Realm space to convince humanity's enemy to come to the peace table. But she didn't get there overnight. Alternating chapters show Davra's evolution from a timid schoolgirl to teenage resistance fighter to promising young officer. Along the way, she witnesses, and even makes, history.