Pattern for Conquest

"Pattern for Conquest" by George O. (George Oliver) Smith is a science fiction story set in a future where Earth, Mars, and Venus are engaged in delicate and dangerous interactions. It introduces Stellor Downing, a driven Martian commander, and Cliff Lane, his Venusian equivalent, as they navigate a vital mission that could shatter the fragile peace between their worlds. The story kicks off with a signal officer desperately trying to stop secret messages from going out into space, highlighting the high stakes. We also encounter other players, like a mysterious alien called the Little Man, and Patricia Kennebec, whose father leads the Solar Combine. Downing and Lane brace themselves for their mission, which is surrounded by increasing tension and the looming possibility of war, setting the foundation for a complex story of cooperation, grudges, and the destiny of worlds among the stars.