"Henry V. O'Neil is the name under which award-winning mystery novelist Vincent H. O'Neil publishes his science fiction work."--"About the Author" page at end of book.

"Four strangers find themselves on a planet soon to become a battlefield in mankind's war for survival against the human-like Sims. Lieutenant Mortas: new to the war zone, but he's expected to take charge. Captain Trent: a psychoanalyst, she's better at treating combat stress than enduring it. Gorman: a conscientious objector more concerned with preserving his soul than with saving his life. Cranther: Veteran of a brutal slave-scout detachment, no skin is as important as his own. Thrown together, they have to battle the elements, the enemy, and possibly each other."--Back cover.