looking for ideas

i am working on an animation for a blender competition, it will be another space battle. can anyone offer any ideas on events in it, it is a manned fighter versus a hacked drone.

secondly i have been searching around the web recently for ideas for designing spacecraft but found nothing particularly helpful. can anyone give me some tips for creating iconic,recognisbale,awesome designs. not specific to any sci fi universe unless you can think of some idea that fits well with my own(see my blog for pictures of some of my ships).

thanks.

oh and i might be able to repay any help with whatever advice i can give that you want, i don't gurantee it will be any good but i am happy to offer it.