<b><i>The Marines were told it was a simple peasant rebellion&ndash;<br>but the mission proved to be far deadlier. . . .<br></i><br></b>Gunny Charlie Bass isn&rsquo;t<b> </b>the only Marine<b> </b>mystified by the order sending the entire 34th<b> </b>to put down a few seditious serfs on planet Kingdom. Rumors swirl of a deadly alien invasion. But few believe that such sentient beings exist. Except Gunny Bass and the Marines of the 3rd platoon, who once fought enemy aliens called Skinks&ndash;fierce, fanatical fighters with hideous weapons who attack for no other reason but to kill.<br><br>Then, while slogging through Kingdom&rsquo;s fetid swamps, the Marines are attacked by awesome unseen weapons that could destroy half a platoon with one shot. Clearly they are facing no normal enemy. And if their adversaries are Skinks, one FIST isn&rsquo;t enough. Third platoon&rsquo;s orders are to penetrate deeper into the bloody jungle hell&ndash;and find out what happens when a few good men bite the bullet. . . .