The cruisers of the Special Forces mysteriously and without a trace disappear, having made a leap to the stars. Intelligence of the Union of Colonies has learned that a war with humanity is being prepared. Three types of aliens have united in an alliance, and people cannot survive alone. Ghost brigades are on the front line. They identify the traitor - Charles Boutin, but he is out of reach. However, there is a way to find out what he is planning - to grow a clone with an implanted consciousness. This is how Jared Dirac is created, he has one goal - to become a traitor. But everyone has free will, and Jared makes his choice. Collected works of one of the most popular authors of modern science fiction - John Scalzi. A novel about a star war for the colonies, reminiscent of Heinlein's immortal Starship Troopers. Continuation of "The Old Man's War."