Sir Giles and the Tempest are sent to join a blockading squadron and to investigate the loss of another 74 under strange circumstances. The squadron commander continually puts the Tempest, without appropriate support, in jeopardy while going through the motions of his assignment to blockade French ports. Good but dangerous missions challenge Coutenay's impressive skill set. A fitting ending for the derelict admiral is once again thwarted by the power of his politic connections. ( )