At an early age, Martin Quigley learned he had the ability to kill anything he touched. His<br>mother died after kissing him goodnight. His father died twenty-four hours later after consoling a<br>young son worried about his sick mother. An orphan, Martin went to live with family close by.<br>When an older cousin found out his ability, Martin was given the nickname Decay. <p>Now an adult, Martin finds himself conscripted to join the Union army in the war between the<br>states. He leaves home and fights the war alongside fellow soldiers from Massachusetts. His<br>commanding officer learns of his special ability and now wants to use Martin as a weapon of<br>war. But Martin is the most powerful weapon on either side in the gruesome war and he has a<br>deadly decision to make.