Quickly, he considered his options.  He could launch bombers after her, knowing that the tiny ships could definitely catch up with the alien ship.  But the alien ship bristled with point defence and he didn't dare lose too many bombers, not unless he intended to return to Earth with his tail between his legs.  He could cut loose a handful of frigates and send them after the carrier, escorted by a couple of starfighter squadrons ... it seemed the best option.

Reaching for his console, he began to issue orders.

***

“You heard the Captain,” Kurt said, as five of the frigates moved out of formation and started to advance on the alien carrier.  “Alpha and Beta will cover the frigates.”

The alien starfighters seemed to recognise the threat at the same moment.  They broke away from their previous engagements and streaked towards the frigates, aiming blasts of plasma fire at their weapons and drives.  One of the frigates staggered out of formation as a lucky hit totalled its drive systems, the others continued towards the alien carrier, which seemed to be picking up speed alarmingly fast.  No match for a frigate, Kurt noted absently, but faster than any human carrier.  All their calculations had been based on flawed data.

He shot a brief burst of fire at one of the alien starfighters, then threw his starfighter into an evasive pattern as two alien craft swooped down on him.  His first target evaded his fire and continued attacking the frigates, only to be picked off by a burst of railgun fire from the lead starship.  Kurt allowed himself a smile, then yanked his craft around and blew one of his pursuers into flaming vapour.  The other broke off and headed back towards his carrier.

“They’re pulling back,” Rose said, in surprise.  “Where do they think they’re going?”

“One of their tramlines,” Kurt said, as the frigates picked up speed desperately.  Warning lights flashed on his display as Ark Royal unleashed a blast of shotgun pellets from her mass drivers, but somehow he doubted they would score a hit.  The aliens, aware of the danger, were randomly altering course as they struggled towards the tramline.  “I think we’re going to lose her.”

Four minutes later, he swore out loud as the alien craft crossed the edge of the tramline, recovered her remaining fighters and vanished.  There was a brief gravimetric pulse, indicating a successful transit, then nothing.  The aliens had taken advantage of their technology to escape.  He looked down at his display, wondering if there were any alien starfighters that hadn't been recovered in time to allow them to escape, but saw nothing.  The battlefield was empty of hostile ships.

“Return to the barn,” he ordered.  “Beta will remain on CSP.  Everyone else, land and snatch a mug of tea.  The bastards will be back.”

***