Assigned to investigate a deadly accident, Lieutenant Steve Maxwell uncovers corruption and criminal collusion reaching far above his pay grade.
To save his career he's dispatched to a distant planet to help upgrade its defense forces, in the company of an old friend and some of the most experienced Marines Steve has ever met.
As well as one of the most distracting.
The trouble is, the planet's antiquated defenses make its new-found wealth a very tempting target - and there are those planning to take full advantage.
As Steve and his colleagues strive to whip a rusty, run-down defense establishment into shape, they discover that the clock is running out.
