Basic training complete, Mandella’s platoon ships off to Stargate 1, where they are given their first assignment: a planet orbiting the star Epsilon Aurigae, on which the Taurans have built a base. That night, a raucous orgy ensues, the sex decreed by law and military custom.

The platoon spends the rest of its time on Stargate 1 building the logistical and tactical headquarters for the war. Then, they all board a ship, the Earth’s Hope, for their first real mission. Freefalling into the planet’s orbit, they are officially in “enemy territory.”

In space for nine days, they encounter their first combat action—an attack launched from a pursuing Tauran vessel. The Earth’s Hope responds, destroying the enemy ship and heads back to the planet circling Epsilon Aurigae. Approaching the planet, the Taurans launch “three abortive attacks” (49), but the real danger will come with a ground assault. Their orders are to attack the enemy base and capture at least one Tauran alive. However, they themselves are not to risk capture; a simple order from the battle computer will activate a small bit of plutonium in their battle suits, turning them into “rapidly expanding, very hot plasma” (50).