Brandon Sanderson's "Firstborn" (novelette, space opera, free)

A galactic scale empire, arranged on feudal & caste based lines. A brilliant general sent out to subdue rebels. He's too good & helps empire expand a lot - until the emperor finds the general is too much of a threat.

General's clone is created - 20 years younger. Designed to defeat his older self. But two have opposite temperaments - general doesn't know how to lose, clone doesn't now how to win.

At some stage, we have a mugged & arbitrary scene that turns general into a monster, out to defeat the empire. Clone is on the side of empire, & will ultimately win by a simple & ridiculous observation that works because author says it works.

Overall, I'll call it a not-bad read, if long. Many space battles & their holographic simulations, & some jargon. Someone with a taste for space opera & retro-societies will probably like it more than I did.

Fact sheet.

First published: Sometime in 2008 in Leading Edge. Reprinted at Tor, 18 December 2008.
Rating: B.
Download full text from Tor.