After the events of The Art of the Deal, former tycoon Rod Portlyn was left destitute, and he's now, a year later, reduced to running archaeological digs. But when he discovers a bizarre artifact, everything changes. Portlyn sees the deadly device as his means of regaining his wealth and power -- and also getting revenge on the crew of the USS da Vinci. And his first target is Domenica Corsi's father.... Soon, the S.C.E. finds itself in a web of intrigue and revenge, as people close to the crew are killed, with the crew itself the next likely target!