Synopsis: Armed for justice, trained to kill - they are the best of the best. Star Commandos. A military elite, forged in a galactic conflict. War's end marks the beginning of their mission: to protect human colonies from the blood-drenched clutches of post-war scavengers. On the newly settled planet Jade, Commando-Colonel Islaen Connor falls prey to a cosmic conspiracy fired by greed. A savage band of outlaw spacers terrorize the planet, pirating shipments of precious gems known as River Tears. They're convinced that nothing can stop them. Not the laws of the Settlement Board. Not the peace-loving colonists. Not even the Star Commandos... Obviously, the outlaws don't know who they're dealing with. (from the back cover of the Ace Books first edition)