Elizabeth Moon, Command Decision

Command Decision

Elizabeth Moon

Del Rey, March 2007, $24.95, 400 pp.

ISBN 0345491599

In the very distant future, whole galaxies have been colonized by humans and the ISC has created the ansible system which allows instantaneous communication between worlds and solar systems. Gammis Turek leads a pirate empire that has knocked out much of the ansible system making trade very difficult. One of the first targets of the pirate empire was Vatta Transport and Vatta Enterprises killing most of the family members.

The remaining family members are determined to continue. Stella is now CEO of Vatta Enterprises. The entire fleet has ship to ship ansibles so that a threatened ship can communicate with one another instantly. She is also successful in reviving the trading part of the company. Kylara has a fleet of three ships that make up the new Space Force and she hopes to get other worlds to join them and get the ship-to-ship ansibles put in their ships. The outcome of a battle between Ky's forces the ISC and the pirates will determine if Ky's enterprise will be a success.

Readers who like the Honor Harrington works of military fiction will thoroughly enjoy the Vatta's war series starring a stubborn, dedicated heroine who intends to take the war to the enemy and defeat them. Elizabeth Moon's Vatta books are filled with plenty of action, especially when a coup topples the ISC leadership and places a rebel in power which could help Ky succeed in her quest.

Harriet Klausner