Vengeance — David Drake

When the heartless rulers of the galaxy send Captain North and his crew to study a new planet, they mysteriously disappear. Then after three more fleets of ships vanish, the rulers decide they have no choice but to send out one more ship. However, this time the captain is Nils Hansen, leader of a special units team, and he's alone. Can one brave man take on an unknown planet on his own? David Drake's Northworld Trilogy will give readers the answers, plus much more.