OMG! i didn't even know about Crown of slaves!!!
woot
but from what i've read so far, its not about HH
DAMN
but still, it seems like it takes place during the Last HH book, War of Honour
*** spoiler ***
as to what will happen for future fleet battles, it seems pretty clear that advanced missles and EW and lacs / fighters will be the winning combo...
esp with sidewalls in the front and back of the usually 'open' wedges which are weak
its really pretty cool - the tech in HH
