This is the story of Andrew Wiggin - the greatest commander of the space age. The Interstellar Fleet of the Earth is waging a desperate struggle against cruel non-humanoid aliens. From specially selected children, the military prepares, according to a special program, the command staff of the earth's space armadas... One of these boys is Andrew. And he fulfills his destiny, having won a dazzling, deafening victory, which none of the military leaders of the past had. The battle is over. First battle. What's ahead?