A mysterious pyramid assumes orbit about Earth and fires a beam of energy that hits well outside of New Chicago - and nevertheless shakes the city! It is part of Princess Ardala's latest assault on Earth. This time, she demands that Buck Rogers marry her, as part of her ascension to the Draconian throne! With the fate of Earth's cities on the line, Buck may not have a choice - unless he can convince a hermit to teach him what he must know to find the weapon's control center aboard Ardala's ship.