After learning all the years she has fought and led men to their deaths have been part of a game designed by plastic aliens, Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr leaves the military and joins Salvage Operator Craig Ryde as partner and lover. After being introduced to Craig's family-of-choice among other salvage operators, she learns those who work salvage are suffering a war of attrition; whittled down a ship and person at a time by pirates. No one in authority is taking action to stop them. Even the salvage operators themselves are reluctant to risk more ships and lives by fighting back.

Civilians have no need for someone with her skill set living among them. Her drive to right wrongs, to lead others in battle is not welcomed by people who wish only to keep their heads down and tails tucked. Then the pirates lure Craig and Torin to a rich field of salvage. They capture Craig, leaving her adrift in space, with short air and cut tether. The pirates should have made certain she was dead because, no matter the cost, she will hunt them down until Craig is safely back at her side. As she and some of her old team pursue them, she discovers why the pirates have need of a Salvage Operator. They have found a sealed cache of weapons, enough to change the balance of power and threaten the Confederation. The stakes have just gotten more interesting. Good thing the old adage is true-- there is no such thing as an EX-Gunnery Sergeant.

THE TRUTH OF VALOR is the fifth novel in the Confederation series, and the strongest yet. Huff throws Torin Kerr into the deep end of the civilian pool; her old skills and reflexes no longer a strength, but an instrument of isolation. It is a pivotal entry to the series, and leaves Kerr at a great spot to leap into further adventure.