Book excerpt: Ward Carroll's electrifying debut, Punk's War, blew away readers, critics, and Navy veterans with "an intriguing look at the modern military [that] honors the men and women who serve" (Library Journal). In his second novel, Carroll brings back Navy lieutenant Rick "Punk" Reichert--with a training squadron of new pilots--on a collision course with danger and destiny. When the F-14 Tomcat of the only female flier in Punk's training class rolls wildly during a hop, nearly causing a midair collision, Punk connects the dots to a similar accident that claimed the life of one of his fellow trainers and suspects a cover-up involving the use of faulty parts. But no sooner does he bring on the heat with his allegations that a far more important crisis calls Punk's squadron into active duty. This time, it is not a training drill . . . it's America's next war.