Learning of a heavily guarded secret route to the homeworld of Clan Smoke Jaguar, the Lords of the Successor States have managed to put aside their differences and create Operation Serpent, a mighty invasion force that launches an all-out assault on the Jaguar Clan. After brutal fighting with heavy losses on both sides, victory for the Defense Force is close at hand, but when a few Clan warriors escape to spread the alarm, the Successor States find themselves in the fight of their lives!