Synopsis: From the back cover of the Ace first edition: "Lon Nolan was a green cadet on Dirigent. He won his lieutenant's pips in action on Norbank. No one can doubt his courage; it's been proven in battle. But he meets his match in beautiful Sara Pine, and he knows she is the woman he's waited for all his life. Before Lon can receive official clearance from the Corps to marry, his regiment if ordered out. Their destination: the planet Aldrin, where s fierce civil war has broken out. On Aldrin, Nolan and his men are caught between two warring colonies, only to learn that the side that hired the DMC has deceived them. With casualties mounting, Lon must lead like never before, or his men may not make it out alive - and he may not make it back to Sara Pine..."