"Commander Jacob Steiner had a promising career in the United Star Systems military before he crossed swords with Admiral Ralph Jamison. Steiner barely survived the destruction of his ship--orchestrated by Jamison--but when he made efforts to expose the admiral's corruption, he found himself convicted of the attempted murder of his superior. While rotting in prison, Steiner receives an offer to captain a Penitentiary Assault Vessel--a prison ship crewed by thieves and murderers who are charged with raiding installations behind enemy lines in exchange for their freedom. Now, surrounded by desperate and deadly prisoners tempted to collect the bounty Jamison has placed on his head, Steiner discovers that he must report to the man responsible for his incarceration, making this assignment his last chance for redemption--and revenge."--P. [4] of cover.