An Unproven Concept - Young James

"There are lots of ways to make history. Sometimes one purpose in life is to serve as an example of utter folly."

The starliner Titanic is considered to be the epitome of her type. With a handpicked crew, the opulent vessel is expected to see to her passengers' every need and whim, no matter how extravagant or obscure that desire may be. Unfortunately, technology's relentless march threatens to render the vessel obsolescent before her maiden voyage is even complete. Pushed by superiors concerned with providing a "unique experience" to the rich and famous aboard, Captain Abraham Herrod must decide just how much he's willing to bend Spacefarer regulations. If he's successful, the Titanic just may be able to prolong the "Golden Age of Starliners" for another generation.

For eight hundred years, the the Confederation Fleet has served as Mankind's shield against all enemies, both internal and external. Despite its numerous successes, the Fleet is a bulwark increasingly warped by the schism between its Carrier and Line factions. In the year 3050, Fleet Admiral Malinverni has overseen the design and commissioning of a vessel intended to merge the best of both factions: the Constitution. Intended as a harbinger of a better future, the Constitution is considered a flawed concept by all except her crew. If either Fleet faction has its way, the Constitution and her captain, Mackenzie Bolan, will never get the chance to prove the vessel's worth.

Unlike the Titanic and Constitution, the destroyer Shigure is far from modern. As the oldest vessel in the fleet, the "Late Rain" is chosen for a special, dangerous project. With a young crew and modifications that makes Shigure not what she seems, Commander Leslie Hawkins presses into unknown space to examine alien structures detected by an Confederation Fleet survey vessel. Regardless of her mission's outcome, the Shigure is about to change history.

With all the unremitting action, mecha, and carnage of the original novel, An Unproven Concept (Kraken Edition) also includes the short story "Ride of the Late Rain," professional artwork, and an excerpt from the Usurper's War novel Acts of War.