Jump ahead a couple of centuries to a world not so different from today except in advanced technology, a colony on Mars, and self aware AI's. Find a retired Lt. Col who quit the marines over violating his personal ethics, despite his proficiency as a commando, who goes on to get his doctorate and his own business at what we would call advanced advertising today. Extremely good in his profession he is content until powers that want a war with Mars because they don't want their crookedness at scamming Mars going and coming as well as the government discovered pick him as their fall guy by cloning him. They have no qualms about killing him and his family. Old skills and abilities as a commando must re-emerge again. Well written with an acute character study of the main players in this story - of course, one would expect no less from Mr. Modesitt.