Book excerpt: It is 1951 and UN forces have just achieved air superiority over the North Koreans. But when word is received in Washington that China has begun producing jet enginesa decision that could prolong the war and cause a greater loss of American livesthe fledgling CIA formulates a plan to destroy the factory. Assigned to complete the mission is a highly skilled team of nine men, comprised of mostly United States Marines. When the target is successfully destroyed, two of the original nine men are left alive. One is Sergeant John Armstrong. The other is Fred Toscaro, a wounded, mentally unstable coward. Now Armstrong must decide how far he will go to fulfill his marine code of honor. For him, the answer is crucial for it could determine whether he lives or dies. As an agonizing internal battle rages inside Armstrong, he and Toscaro embark on a dangerous journey to find their way home without any idea that factions in Washington are taking steps to ensure that none of the team survives. In this military thriller, a United States Marine sergeant must rely on inner-strength and a code of honor to save both his life and the life of another soldier when the government abandons him after a perilous mission during the Korean War.