I think a film or television version of Joe Haldemann's novel could be achieved. In this version extreme measures are taken to control the population and there is no faster-than-light travel. The starships are powered by anti-matter drives and also use solar sails. A vessel capable of journeying to a target system and returning can achieve a velocity of 22% of lightspeed. The crew enter hibernation during most of the journey. In extremis a ship can travel at 44% of lightspeed and this method is sometimes used to avoid enemy ships or to attack enemy bases. When Mandela is conscripted there is no knowledge of alien life but a number of exoplanets are believed to contain life. UNEF and the Elite Conscription Act are established in order to send the most qualified expeditions to these planets to establish their suitability for colonisation. Private Mandela's platoon is the first to encounter a Tauran base. When their landing craft is shot down during his second tour of duty the U