When the Lokaron discovered Earth, they picked America to use as their puppet in dominating the planet. They weren't evil; they just insisted, backed up by irresistible weapons, that we trade with them. They played fair -- by their rules -- but if they didn't own something, it would mean they didn't want it. At first we tried to fight, but when the ones with the guns say "Let's trade!" it means "Trade or bleed, " even if you eventually aren't going to have a country -- or a planet -- left. But worms turn, and like the Europeans a century ago, the Lokaron were going to learn a hard lesson from their victims.... "Highly recommended . . . exciting extraterrestrial battle scenes served up with a measure of thought and science". -- Kliatt THE ALIENS PLAYED BY THE RULES. THEIR RULES. When the Lokaron suddenly appeared in the skies of Earth, America was enjoying victory in the off-and-on war that had occupied most of the 20th century. That's why they chose America to occupy and use as their puppet in dominating the planet. We were already set up to do it, now we would do it for them. Not that they were evil; they just insisted that we trade with them. By their rules, rules backed up by irresistible weapons. In terms of those rules, they would even play fair -- but in the long run, if they didn't own something, it would be because they didn't want it. At first we tried to fight, but just as the Japanese, the Chinese, the Hindus and all the rest had learned, when the ones with the guns say "Let's trade!" they really mean "Trade or bleed". And so you trade -- even if you won't have a country -- or a planet -- left when the last round is played out. But worms turn, and just as had the Europeans a century ago, the Lokaron were going to learn a lesson from their victims, a lesson that they weren't going to like one bit.... Steve White completed a tour of duty in Vietnam as a Naval officer. His SF adventure trilogy for Baen comprising The Disinherited, Legacy, and Debt of Ages was highly successful, as was Prince of Sunset, and its sequel Emperor of Dawn . With David Weber, he has collaborated on Insurrection, Crusade, In Death Ground, and The Shiva Option . Used Book in Good Condition