Earth has fallen. The Core Worlds have collapsed into chaos.
War is breaking out everywhere as planetary governments declare independence, entire sectors slip out of contact, and warlords battle for power. The remnants of the once-great Empire are tearing themselves apart. And in the shadows, the Terran Marine Corps works to save what little they can to preserve civilization and build a better tomorrow. But now they might have met their match. The marines have beaten off a desperate attempt by the corporate worlds to recover Hameau, but the war is very far from over. The corprats remain powerful, gathering their strength to resume the offensive, locate the marines, and impose their society on the ruins of empire. To stop them, the marines will have to stake everything on a desperate gamble to tear out the heart of the enemy empire and slay the fascist beast in its lair. But the enemy are equally desperate to win....
