For the 73rd cadet class at the Defense University on the small planet Kibi, a shakedown cruise aboard the fleet's new starship "Amaterasu" serves as an appropriate prelude to graduation. However, as they head back to their home world, they are stunned by news that the aggressive Kingdom has declared war on Kibi. When their planetary government surrenders without resistance, the cadets resolve to wage their own war from the "Amaterasu." To secure funding, they strike a deal with a galactic news network, finding themselves the "stars" of their own "reality show." Unfortunately, this is the sort of reality show that can get you killed...