02580cam a22003613u 4500 24380 UtSlPG 20260610133547.0 m cr n 260607r2008||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Von Wald, E. G. Shock Absorber Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2008 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Astounding Science Fiction June 1955. Release date is 2008-01-21 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Shock Absorber" by E. G. Von Wald is a science fiction narrative that explores themes of military strategy and psychological warfare in a futuristic setting. Written in the mid-20th century, it delves into the complexities of leadership and human behavior against the backdrop of a war between humans and an alien race. The story centers on a group of military personnel dealing with the challenges posed by the newly commissioned Psi Corps officers, who possess extra-rational mental faculties deemed essential for combat. The plot revolves around Commander Frendon, the new captain of a battle-worn space combat ship, who faces skepticism and hostility from his crew, who believe he is a "sickman" affiliated with the Psi Corps. Lieutenant Alton Maise, the executive officer, navigates the subtle tensions among the crew as they grapple with their distrust of Frendon’s leadership, which they believe relies on guesswork rather than strategy. As the narrative unfolds, Frendon struggles to earn the crew's respect while an underlying conspiracy regarding his qualifications emerges, culminating in a ruse to either undermine or discredit him. The characters reflect on loyalty, fear, and survival as they prepare for imminent combat with alien forces. Through these dynamics, Von Wald presents a compelling examination of trust, command, and the psychological strains of warfare. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories War stories Van Dongen, H. R., 1920-2010 Produced from Astounding Science Fiction June 1955. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24380 65381 65381