Hopefully people wouldn't give you negatives for that. Was my first guess too.

I was thinking Cobra as well

Yeah I had nothing to do for a week when I read it and read about 5 books back to back so I'm not surprised I got some of it wrong. Picked up a copy for $1.40 from the bookstore yesterday though.

Don't think this is it either. Pretty sure the book was a standalone, not a part of a series. Appreciate it though.

Thanks but it's Not Fire Upon the Deep though that is on my too read shelf. I'd say the writing wasn't quite on Vernon Vinge's level. Still trying to remember any more details I can come up with. Thanks for the effort though.