Ten-year-old Caleb Stratford possesses a mind that processes the world not in social connections, but in precise vectors and spatial geometry. Plucked from Earth and sent to an orbital training facility, he quickly outpaces his peers, navigating the intense physical and psychological trials of null-gravity combat. His clinical detachment and tactical efficiency earn him a swift promotion to Command School, located deep within a high-gravity asteroid outpost. Under the harsh watch of Colonel Vance, Caleb is pushed to his absolute limits, utilizing chemical stimulants to maintain focus as he coordinates complex fleet simulations with his former squadmates. But as the final, devastating campaign against an alien adversary reaches its climax, Caleb relies on a devastating weapon to secure victory. Only when the simulation screens go dark does the young commander discover the true, harrowing nature of the games he was forced to play.
Ten-year-old Caleb Stratford possesses a mind that processes the world not in social connections, but in precise vectors and spatial geometry. Plucked from Earth and sent to an orbital training facility, he quickly outpaces his peers, navigating the intense physical and psychological trials of nu...