Gradually, powerful corporations began settling business disputes by hiring troops to fight real battles (fracases) on one of many military reservations.

This served a dual purpose: to maintain a military well-honed by actual combat and to provide the decadent general population with a diversion.

When upstart Vacuum Tube Transport finds itself forced into an expensive, division-sized fracas with Continental Hovercraft, he sees his opportunity.

He signs up with the underdog, even though the much wealthier Continental is able to hire the best soldiers available, including Marshal "Stonewall" Cogswell, the finest commander in the business.

His son does not have the deceased man's political influence, and has also invested heavily in the rival company, assuming his side will lose, so Mauser is out of luck.