Through either the complacency or gross incompetence of his superiors, Felix has suffered unbelievably, yet continues to soldier on. This also challenges the trio to deal with the knowledge that the public story of the Antwar is far different from the true horror. These immersions change Jack - as it does the others - so that he chooses to make an almost certain suicidal stand with Holly against Borglyn's attack on the facility. Throughout the novel, Jack comes into contact with the alcoholic owner of Sanction, a wealthy rancher named Lewis. Lewis is profoundly anti-war and doesn't allow his citizens to carry energy weapons. Jack comes to despise Lewis for his irresponsible drunken nature. During Borglyn's attack, Jack and Holly are on the verge of defeat when Lewis mounts a last minute rescue. Sensing the hopelessness of the situation, he reactivates the armor, revealing himself to be Felix. The ship Borglyn gave Jack was Felix's. He dons the fully charged scout armor and uses it to destroy Borglyn's forces and attack the ship. At the last second, Borglyn fires all of the ships weapon's, seemingly destroying everything around it. He orders the crew to lift off to escape Felix. Jack and Holly watch in awe as this happens, and catch a final glimpse of Felix on the back of the starship through a security camera just before the ship moves out of range. The government of Golden sends emissaries to Sanction to learn the story. They refuse to end their search for their leader as no wreckage or bodies were found. Jack, Holly, and Lya start new lives on Sanction outside of fleet influence. Relation to Vampire$ Characters named "Felix" and "Jack Crow" appear in the 1990 John Steakley novel Vampire$, along with an easter egg about the Antwar. Vampire$ is set in a contemporary modern age fantasy world, unlike the science fiction future world of Armor. Developments A sequel was in the works at the time of Steakley's death. An excerpt can be found at a fan web-page, posted with the author's consent. See also Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein Old Man's War by John Scalzi The Forever War by Joe Haldeman All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka References Further reading 1984 American novels American science fiction novels 1984 science fiction novels Military science fiction novels Novels about extraterrestrial life Novels set on fictional planets DAW