Slave of the Gunlords — Russell A. Reball

Lieutenant Jacob Dillinger is part of an elite fire team known as Gunlords. Genetically enhanced, empowered by armored suits called, Body Trux, he and his men are the ultimate terrors on the battlefield of Earth 2055. Respected, and most certainly feared by the enemy, Jacob has grown accustomed to a life of military supremacy and violence. But during the onslaught of battle, Jacob is stricken with conscience and chooses to protect an innocent woman and her infant child against the savage hands of the troops in his own unit. Members of his team are killed as a result and Jacob is forced into a fight for his own survival. Hunted by other Gunlords, he flees to the west in Goliath, his automated super tank, across a war ravaged America.

Days later, Jacob encounters a standing storm that spans the horizon. Rather than risk capture and drive around it, he drives straight through it; but the harsh elements wreak havoc on Goliath and Jacob must stop to make repairs in the tranquil eye of the storm. What he finds there is a bountiful community that has been preserved and flourishing for years, cut off from the rest of the world-and the war itself!

Stranded in this haven until the repairs are completed, Jacob begins an unwitting integration into their simple lifestyle. He is befriended by the Duncans, a gentle family, who take him into their home. All the while, Jacob's past slowly closes in on him. Jacob's brother, Hack, the highest ranking Gunlord, is on his trail.

Jacob realizes his presence in the community spells danger for its residents, but before Goliath is made battle ready and Jacob can leave, this secret haven is invaded by the few remaining members of his fire team, which includes Hack. 

What was once a calm and peaceful place soon transforms into a war zone; where the phrases 'seek and destroy' and 'divide and conquer' are introduced to their daily lives.

In the end, Jacob is forced to sacrifice peace to defend the kind of life he can not have.