A space ships & laser blaster scrappy rebels against the empire story.

You gotta be able to tolerate monologues like: "Once the League is eliminated, we'll be able to go on to establish absolute control of the entire human race. Look how far we've come already! Three short centuries ago, the human race was on the verge of destroying itself. The Greater Soviet Union and the Atlantic Union were ready to fly at each other's throats. If the Sino-Soviet war hadn't brought them to their senses ... Well, fortunately both sides realized in time that the human race neded Order to survive. And now, after three hundred years, look what Order has achieved. Disease all but wiped out. War eliminated. The living standard quadrupled. And I tell this Council that the League is the only real obstacle to even more complete control. Once we are rid of them, we can afford to install Beams and Eyes everywhere."

I wasn't able to finish it.

As a special added bonus, apparently in the 23rd century there are no women. Not on the galactic Hegemonic council, not on either rebel force, not even bit parts or wives or nothing. There's no explanation in the story for this curiosity, so I assume it's all about the author and pre-feminist sci-fi norms.