The knight errant Anderson is hunting a dragon on the primitive Out-Polity world of Cull, little knowing that far away a man - more technology than human flesh - has resurrected a brass killing machine to assist in a similar hunt that encompasses star systems. When agent Cormac learns that his old enemy still lives, he sets out in pursuit aboard the attack ship Jack Ketch... whilst scientist Mika begins discovering the horrifying truth about that ancient technology ostensibly produced by the alien Jain, who died out five million years ago.