When terror grips the heart and rail gun rounds scream by at three times the speed of sound, and when the stench and sounds of death and killing overwhelm the senses, those who find the will to fight carry the day. Now read stories that explore combat motivation.

• Karl Dandenell, "On the Snark Watch" On a tiny space station, a sailor has to deal with both hazing and a potential alien invasion.
• Renee Stern, "The Nuevo Shine" A recon scout and his canine companion drop onto a hostile planet.
• Eric Fomley, "Sisters" A soldier finds solace behind enemy lines.
• Floyd Largent, "Fire Ants" Anyone with sense knows not to mess with fire ants.
• Mandy Munro, "Another Day" Two war medics, on their final day of active duty, learn that tomorrow is never just another day..
• Austin Worley, "What Good Fathers Do" An unwinnable battle looms and Captain Zamile Kani reckons with the kind of father he's been . . . and could be.
• Ronald D. Ferguson, "Lover's Moon" Making sure someone doesn't die alone can break your heart.
• Michael Patrick Coady, "Hot Re-Entry" An orbital instructor faces the ultimate test when her interceptor burns on re-entry.
• Cuyler Meade, "The Lost" A soldier is stranded light years from home; to survive, he must pass as a local.
• Aaron Beardsell, "Dogfight" In the depths of space, corporate fighter pilots face off against an unknown threat to humanity.
• D. Winchester, "Save Who You Can" Hard choices are the only chance to make sure a few people get out alive.
• Travis Koll, "Malingerer" A young nurse confronts an unexpected adversary: a soldier who feigns illness.