First came the magnetic pulses, wiping out the world's defenses. Then came war, turning cities to wastelands. And when the dust settled, the hellhounds arrived; merciless creatures bent on erasing what little remained of humanity.

Marinah never asked to be part of the fight. Yet, against all logic, she’s been named Secretary of Defense by the new U.S. government, the Federation. She doesn’t know why they chose her, but one thing is certain, she’s the last person for the job. Tasked with negotiating with an alien force known as the Shadow Warriors, Marinah isn’t expected to last a day.