Tungsten Spider

Book excerpt: Wars are not fought between good and bad people; they are fought by soldiers. The Axi have invaded Col. Without a fleet, they have managed to land an entire legion on the Valen world and begin sweeping over its deserts in an unstoppable blitzkrieg. Hellick Primus is a squad leader in Driven Company of the 173rd Legion. He has a wife and two children, but today, his ten troopers are his only family. Veterans of two campaigns, the troopers of D Co soon discover that Col is host to the worst violence of their careers. Despite their superior technology and military discipline, Hellick struggles against micromanaging leadership, Col's hostile climate, and a crafty enemy to bring each member of his "family" home alive. Staff Sergeant Ramsey is 1st Platoon's sergeant for Bravo Company, 22nd Infantry Battalion. The Col Defense Guard suffers from a peace time mentality, where soldiers' feelings and welfare are placed over training. Ramsey's platoon is a wreck of poor soldiers guided by weak leaders and equipped with outdated hardware. Slaughter ensues. The weight of survival falls on the shoulders of a few professionals, who find themselves locked in conflict, while their friends are murdered around them. In war there are no underdogs; there are only survivors and fodder. In war, there are no heroes; there are only the living and the dead. War is not fair. War is hell. Which side will you choose? "Dominic has achieved what all military sci-fi authors aspire to - an expansive, compelling plot with realistic dialogue between soldiers and intense combat scenes. He pulled it off because he's been there and done the real thing. Outstanding." – SSG (ret) Rob Bell