Keith Laumer 
Glory Game 

As the Hukk maneuver on the fringes of Terran Space, the Terran Navy is about to begin the most important "game" in the history of the human race. For too many years the Hukk have been pushing, pushing at humanity’s frontiers, testing our strength and our courage – and finding both wanting. Now the Terran Hardliners have had enough. They will use the coming war games to start a real war, even if it requires a revolution at home to clear the way!