January, 1944. When the British light cruiser Andromeda arrives at Williamstown naval dockyard to be handed over to the Royal Australian Navy, she is already a legend - having earned her young captain, Richard Blake, the Victoria Cross in her last victory against overwhelming odds in the Mediterranean. Blake has grown to love Andromeda, so has few regrets when he is unexpectedly told to retain his command with a British and Australian ship?s company.

At this crucial time of the war, with the Allies advancing on almost every front, comes the startling news that a heavily armed German raider is at large in the Indian Ocean, stalking supply ships and destroying any unescorted vessel.

As the toll of lives and ships mounts, Blake is ordered to seek out and destroy the raider - the ship which must die.