While returning from a mission, the Roughnecks are attacked and captured by a contingent of the humanoid Skinnies. Tensions mount in their prison cell, and while Carl and Brutto are being interrogated, the rest of the squad works on an escape plan.

Colonel T'Phai, the Skinnie who was partially responsible for Carl's fried brain, is not particularly welcome when he joins the unit just as they're assigned the task of taking Zegema Beach as part of the Tesca Nemerosa campaign.