The Padang Commonwealth Alliance has been invaded by aliens called the Sytorians. The war is in its tenth year, and the Padang Alliance is losing a war of attrition. Initially, the two nations' cruiser-kill ratios were equal. Today, the Sytorians destroy three Padang cruisers for every two Sytorians cruisers. The Padang admiralty is having a difficult time finding replacement crews for those injured and killed. Particularly experienced fleet and squadron commanders. As a result, the Navy has been forced to promote its officers early before they have sufficient experience and skills and to transfer senior administrative admirals to command fleets. Consequently, the Navy is experiencing a worsening kill ratio each year and is projected to lose the war within five to ten years.
A captain who recently suffered a catastrophic injury sees an unconventional solution, but it would require the Navy to abandon its century-old traditions, which it adamantly refuses to do. Consequently, the Padang Alliance's only hope of survival is to find a group willing to fund and create a prototype squadron to test the potential solution. If it proves successful, it could be used to force the necessary changes. If not, the Padang Alliance is doomed.
Genre: Science Fiction
A captain who recently suffered a catastrophic injury sees an unconventional solution, but it would require the Navy to abandon its century-old traditions, which it adamantly refuses to do. Consequently, the Padang Alliance's only hope of survival is to find a group willing to fund and create a prototype squadron to test the potential solution. If it proves successful, it could be used to force the necessary changes. If not, the Padang Alliance is doomed.
Genre: Science Fiction
Used availability for C R Daems's Specters of Past Wars