It may be the twenty-fifth century, but the Marines are still looking for a few good men.
The Confederation has finally disclosed the existence of Skinks, fierce aliens bent on wiping out humankind. While the rest of the universe grapples with the news, the Skink-savvy Marines of the Confederationโs Thirty-fourth Fleet Initial Strike Team (FIST) have their own worries: theyโve just learned they canโt transfer out of the unit. Who else has the skills to fight the Skinks on their home turf when the time comes?ย
Morale isnโt improved by a report of Skinks on the uncolonized world of Ishtarโwhich means that FIST must turn around and head right back into the jaws of hell with no downtime. But none of that matters to Lieutenant Charlie Bass and the third platoon of Company L. Theyโre Marines, theyโre the best, and theyโve got a job to do.