The chaplain's war

the long version

"The mantis cyborgs: insectlike, cruel, and determined to wipe humanity from the face of the galaxy, as they've already done with two other sentient species. The Fleet is humanity's last chance: a multi-world, multi-national task force assembled to hold the line against the aliens' overwhelming technology and firepower. Enter Harrison Barlow, who simply wants to serve his people. Only what good is a Chaplain's Assistant in the interstellar battles which will decide the fate of all mankind? More than he thinks. Captured and stranded behind enemy lines, Barlow must embark upon an improbable gambit to alter the course of the entire war." -- page [4] of cover.