Colonel — Rick Shelley

National bestselling author Rick Shelley, himself a veteran of the U.S. Army, has thrilled legions of fans with his novels of war among the stars. Here is the next adventure of the Dirigent Mercenary Corps: For them, war isn't just a duty and an honor, but a way of life...

Colonel Lon Nolan has built quite a reputation in the Dirigent Mercenary Corps. His exploits are admired by many and matched by none--there's even talk of him becoming the next General. But Lon isn't particularly interested in a promotion. With his son already part of the Corps and a new baby on the way, Nolan feels increasingly ready to distance himself from the world of battle and life-or-death decisions.

But then he learns that the chancellor of Elysium, the university and research world, is coming to Dirigent. Elysium is being pressured by the Confederation of Human Worlds to "acknowledge their sovereignty." Part of that pressure comes via invading mercenaries from New Sparta--professional soldiers every bit as skilled and deadly as the DMC. Elysium wants the best on their side, and that means the Seventh Regiment. Retirement plans will have to wait, now that Nolan's leading his troops--his own son included--into the fight of a lifetime...