By Temptations and By War

The Republic world of Skye is bracing itself for another onslaught from the Jade Falcon Clan. The planet's only hope lies with Jasek Kelswa-Steiner and his Stormhammers—forging an alliance that may be worse than surrender.

Newly elected Exarch Jonah Levin is facing censure from the senators of The Republic. Wary even of his own Paladins, Levin agrees to a summit of the Inner Sphere leaders on Terra–praying his enemies won't use the gathering for an assassination attempt.

The second installment in the new MechWarrior saga begins as aspiring MechWarrior Raul Ortega finds himself called to battle when warring factions who have seceded from the Republic wage war on his home to obtain one of the few working interstellar communication nets.