DEAD RIGHT THERE

Jeremiah Rose and the Black Thorns, flush with their success against the Jade Falcons on Borghese, head to Harlech to draw a new assignment. Their only requirement: Their new job must let them face off against the Clans.

They find more than they bargained for. Their assignment: Garrison duty on Wolcott -- a Kurita planet deep in the heart of the Clan Smoke Jaguar occupation zone. Wolcott is besieged, but protected from further Clan aggression by the Clan code of honor.

Wolcott makes a useful staging area for Kurita raids on Smoke Jaguar-occupied territory.

The pay is good. The advance is unbelievable. But they have to live long enough to spend it.