In the vast galactic empire of the thirty-third century, bureaucracy rules-and brains and beauty are the keys to success. Now one governmental bombshell will have to use her every resource to stop a planetwide mutiny. . . .

Inside the Department of Extraterrestrial Affairs, Gloria VanDeen is a low-level bureaucrat. But she is no faceless cog. The stunning, cunning beauty happens to be the current Emperor's ex-wife and sometime playmate-a distinct advantage when disorder erupts on one of the small planets she oversees. For Gloria's personal life has catapulted her into the limelight, and an off-Earth assignment is just what she needs to get back to work. But the situation may be trickier than she imagines. . . .

For decades, the docile creatures of Mynjhino have been dominated by the humans of the corporate giant GalaxCo. Now a rebellious few have gotten hold of antique semiautomatic rifles-and are mowing down their Imperial overlords. Gloria has given her body and soul to Dexta, to great effect. But when trying to broker peace with the Myn, even that may not be enough. . . .