Julia and Deborah wrote: (I lost track of attributions) I remember such a plot in a book by Andre Norton, but don't remember the title; the protagonist was named Kana Karr, I think - he was following in the mercenary footsteps of his family, but I recall that he was hoping to prove to the alien overlords that humans were _more_ than just swordsmen.
Hey, wait, was that _Star Guard_? From Amazon.com - a review of Star Guard by A Norton Terrans of the future may only leave planet as mercenaries for contract on other planets. Archs primitive weapons or Mechs modern weapons Swordsman third class Kana finds himself on a planet on such a mission with the Arch Legion only to find themselves fighting against a rebel legion of Mechs where the fate of the whole human race hanging on the outcome. classic Norton --This text refers to the Paperback <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345350367/104-3779882-2135115> edition.
