Merlin uses his space-age information gathering capabilities to predict the invasion and pinpoint enemy locations, allowing Cayleb, Merlin and the new-model Royal Charisian Navy to annihilate half of the enemy force off Armageddon Reef in a surprise attack. However, the less-capable diversion force led by Haarahld is forced into battle, and the king falls before Cayleb's fleet can intervene. The conflict destroys the ability of every Charisian rival to make war at sea, but leaves King Cayleb's people to stand alone against a ruthless church that commands the devotion of nearly every human alive.