ALIEN LEGION: Footsloggers

Originally published in the mid-1980s, this trite science fiction epic follows a gang of intergalactic soldiers from a myriad of species. These Legionnaires in the Tophan Galactic Union are charged with guarding distant outposts and other tough duties. The Alien Legion, which contains only one human member, takes on politically sensitive assignments where they must fight with very complex and limiting rules of engagement. For example, on the ecologically fragile moon Wedifact IV, a primitive sentient species is evolving while pirates have set up an illegal mine. The legion can only fight with biodegradable darts, but their foes use lasers and other ecologically damaging weapons. The legion's arch enemy, the Harkilon Imperium, appears to consist of one species only, and that points to this work's underlying theme: how does an extremely diverse society survive and thrive? This interesting idea isn't well served by the paper-thin characterizations and overly familiar space opera trappings. The full-color art is competent and realistic but unexceptional. Although there's plenty of action within, calling grog "grogh" doesn't make a story science fiction. (Jan.)