Hot off the clout of the successful Cinto DaSelva campaign, the Chevaliers find themselves in high demand, able to charge a premium to add stability to a relatively peaceful planet. But First Lieutenant Rande 'Vandal' VanDelle finds himself unexpectedly restless after his action-packed first year as a jockey. Luckily, the biannual Grand Melee is on the horizon, and organizing a watch party for the largest upright tournament in Catalan space is a company tradition.
But the Chevaliers aren't just watching, this year. A clause in their contract covered the entry fee for a team to represent, and Vandal jumps at the chance to escape the doldrums of a world at peace. But jockeying on a team and leading one in a live-fire tournament are two different things, and not everyone is looking to play fair. And one doesn't rise as a jockey without making enemies looking to settle scores in the galaxy's most dangerous game.
Scott Warren has created the greatest underdog hero in Randy (Vandal) Van Delle. A first person view of a mech pilot version of Horatio Hornblower. This entire series is well with the read.