Swift, silent, and deadly-they strike where no one else dares.

Fear is the fastest-growing crop on Haulover, a newly colonized planet where someone-or something-is destroying isolated farmhouses. The unseen enemy strikes without warning, then disappears, leaving no stone standing, no trace of families or farm animals. When the Confederation receives a desperate plea for help, it's time to send in the Marines.

Impossible missions are a matter of course for Fourth Force Recon's second platoon squads, and the situation at Haulover-with no witnesses and few clues-is no exception. But this assignment turns out to be even tougher and bloodier than usual because the devastation is a ploy-to lure the nine Marines into a trap, and to force them to bust the Confederation's terrible secret wide open.

And as for the Skinks lying in ambush on Haulover, they have no idea what trouble is . . . until they go up against a few good Marines.