Blood Contact is the fourth novel of the military science fiction StarFist Saga, written by David Sherman and Dan Cragg. This book in the series follows Gunnery Sergeant Bass and the rest of 3rd Platoon, Company L, 34th FIST as they investigate a missing scientific team on the planet Society 437. Initially expecting that pirates are to blame for the failure of the team to check in as scheduled, 3rd Platoon discovers something far more deadly and dangerous is behind the destruction of the station. What they find has serious implications for the entire human race. Conducting a campaign to wipe out the scientific society are a race of aliens dubbed by the marines the skinks. The skinks are a race of bipedal amphibian like creatures who wield acid guns which seem to be able to burn through virtually any substance.