Ship Killer - Robert L. Collins

Commander Jules Sinclair has a bold idea: equip a small warship with two jump drives. One is so the ship can travel in hyperspace, while the other powers a single pulse blaster. The power behind the weapon will allow that small ship to destroy larger ships with one shot. Sinclair believes his design will help the Independent Worlds Alliance stand up better to the aggressive Cassini Empire.

Construction and testing of Ship Killer goes well. Then the Empire destroys a rebel base. Its leaders may have designs on conquering more Alliance worlds. The Alliance's political and military leaders can't decide whether or not to construct more of Sinclair's design. He and his small crew are given orders to go rogue and stop any threat to the Alliance.

In this slow-burn science-fiction drama, can one ship bring down an empire? Or will that one ship reveal that empire's hidden weaknesses?