On a patched spaceship, Prince Roger McClintock and his companions reach the interracial Alphan Alliance, learn that the surviving empress is being physically and mentally controlled by the coup plotters, and convince the Alliance leadership to help them restore the power of the McClintock dynasty. They return disguised to Old Earth, open a successful restaurant in its capital as a cover, attract to their side retirees of the Empress's personal guard regiment and one of the imperial fleets, which did not support the coup, meanwhile finding supporters in the Metropolis fleet based in the Solar System. Almost breaking the conspiracy, they begin a counter-coup and, while their allies are repelling the offensive of the squadrons of spaceships supporting the conspirators, they fight to capture the imperial palace. As a result, we find ourselves on the verge of a civil war with the remnants of the former powerful fleet and with the empress driven to half-madness, who finds the strength to abdicate the throne and transfer power to the last surviving, once unloved son.