Earth's Interplanetary Military Forces are looking for a few good humans.

And the heat is on—particularly in the asteroid belt and the moons of Mars where miners are being wiped out by an alien race known to frightened Earthsiders as The Clash. War with a mystifying and brutal alien species has broken out, and every capable mind and body is needed to protect Earth's interests.

Harper, an Alaskan citizen who has never again let her sex—or society's expectations—stand in her way, decides infantry service might be a way to find a real meaning and mission in life. And if she's helpful in saving that society from destruction, so much the better.

Who are The Clash? What do they want and why must humans die in pursuit of their goals? Harper and her platoon mates are destined to find out—but first, there's some fighting and dying to be done.