Book excerpt: MERCS ON A MISSION... The enigmatic Draconis Combine industrialist "Uncle Chandy" Kurita owns property on planet Towne. Upon hearing news of the secret Black Dragon Society's plans to invade, Uncle Chandy dispatches Cassie Suthorn and Camacho's Caballeros to protect his holdings there and organize the local militia to defend against the anticipated attack. THAT GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE. To the Caballeros' surprise, Towne has become a faction-ridden shambles. The populace rejects all outside intervention, and the Caballeros find themselves fighting the very people they were sent to help. Cassie Suthorn must use her unique woman-to-'Mech combat style to unify Towne in the face of the Black Dragon threat—or be ultimately destroyed...