The Rods And The Axe by Other Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.
- Books #6 in Tom Kratman's Carrera military science fiction series.
- Tarawa. Iwo. Normandy. Names that shine in the military history of two worlds, places where brave men stormed ashore and fought their way to victory no matter the odds. But then there are other names: Marathon. Malta. Gallipoli. Balboas Patricio Carrera has driven the Tauran Union from his adopted country, driven them out with appalling loss and worse humiliation. Thats not enough though. To finally finish his enemies, Carrera needs to draw them back for a more telling defeat. He cannot take the battle to them because, beyond some long range bombardment capability, he cannot reach them. But when they return, they dont plan to come alone; they insist on having someone else do most of the bleeding for them. Carrera understands this. And thats why hes provoked the Zhong Guo mercilessly, infuriating their ruling Empress. He needs the Zhong in the war, to buck up the Taurans to continue the war to its bitterest end. Now, Carreras enemies are about to learn why the expression "blood-stained water" is not just a literary allusion.