It is the year 5012 and the Milky Way galaxy is under attack. After the Universal War, a war that almost brought about the destruction of every known universe, the planets in the Milky Way banded together to create the Intergalactic Force - an elite fighting team sworn to protect and defend the galaxy. Only the brightest and most promising students are accepted into the Intergalactic Force Academy, and only the very best cadets reach the highest of their ranks and become . . . STAR FIGHTERS!

Having located the notorious space pirate Jaxx in Book 7, the crew of the Phoenix discover the amazing truth - Jaxx is actually Selene's father, and he was set up! Now they must find the real space pirate and, when they do, recover the precious Heart of Mars gemstone that was stolen. Jaxx thinks he knows where the Heart of Mars has been hidden. If they attempt to retrieve it, the true pirate will have no choice but to come to them . . .