This is particularly evident during the combat scenes – the technological superiority of the aliens renders impractical the standard naval models of combat used in many works of science fiction, requiring a re-examination of the mechanics of space combat. The novel also proposes that aliens, if encountered, will be truly alien – that is, driven by desires and motives which are not immediately obvious to humans.
The technological superiority of the aliens during combat scenes renders conventional naval models impractical in science fiction works, necessitating an overhaul of space combat techniques. The novel also suggests that any encountered aliens would have motivations and desires distinct from those of humans.