Shock Absorber

"Shock Absorber" by E. G. Von Wald is a science fiction story set in a future where humans are at war with aliens, and mental abilities are a strategic asset. The story follows Commander Frendon, the new captain of a battered spaceship, as he confronts suspicion from his crew, who view him as an outsider linked to the Psi Corps. Lieutenant Alton Maise is stuck in the middle, trying to control the rising tensions as the crew questions Frendon's leadership, suspecting it's based on intuition rather than proven tactics. As they brace for battle, Frendon fights to earn the crew's trust, all while a secret plot threatens to sabotage him. The narrative examines themes of loyalty, fear, and the heavy mental burden of war, while challenging what a ship needs to survive the void against the alien foe.