j. wesley bush

"Those fanatics think in slogans and talk in bullets. Such men can't be reasoned with... only fought."

Randal Knox never wanted to be a leader.

But as the firstborn son of the Prime Minister, he seemed fated to a life in politics. Fleeing his family plans, Randal enlists with the armored infantry, thinking he’ll be safe on the snowy border with neighboring Abkhenazia.

When followers of the Prophet take control of the region, his haven turns into a slaughterhouse. A vast army of zealots invades New Geneva, routing its tiny defense force and sending the remnants fleeing for their lives. Knox is forced to take charge of a small band of survivors, sheltering them in the mountains. 

Knox has a choice. Will he hide safely in the catacombs beneath the city or embrace his calling as a leader? It could take everything he has, including his life, to save his people. The militia is scattered, his only allies are a turncoat Abkhenazi, a mad Belorussian immigrant, a beautiful but rookie medic, and a handful of armored infantry.