He looked up at the display.  The aliens, damn them, would know their rough course and speed.  Assuming their commanders reacted at once – an assumption he dared not reject – they could have another carrier in place to intercept the flotilla long before they reached New Russia.  But there was a chance they could sneak through ...

“Drones away,” Farley said.  “Passive sensors ... online.”

Ted nodded.  Passive sensors were nowhere near as capable as active sensors, but at least they didn't radiate any betraying emissions for alien sensors to detect.  Using active sensors would have betrayed their position to the aliens, while the aliens themselves might remain undetected until it was far too late to avoid another ambush.  There were times, Ted knew, when he might want to advertise his presence, but not in what might as well be unfriendly space.

He rose to his feet.  “You have the bridge,” he said, addressing Farley.  “I’ll be in my office.”

“Aye, sir,” Farley said.  “I have the bridge.”

Ted strode through the airlock and sagged, almost as soon as the airlock hissed closed behind him.  The weight of command had never felt so heavy, not even when he’d first assumed command of the carrier ... although, to be fair, no one had ever seriously expected Ark Royal to resume active service as anything more than a museum piece.  Now ... a mistake on his part could cost humanity the war.  What if the attack on New Russia was a total disaster?

He’d thought, seriously, about abandoning the mission and withdrawing the way they’d come.  It wouldn't have been a cowardly decision, he knew; there were strong reasons to favour a withdrawal and a return to Earth.  He knew that there would be people who would say otherwise, who would accuse him of being a coward, yet he knew he had the moral stubbornness to proceed anyway.  But they had to knock the aliens back on their heels and New Russia was the only reasonable target ... at least until they found an alien homeworld they could target.

There was a chime.  He looked up, then keyed the switch that opened the hatch, allowing Midshipwomen Lopez to step into the office.  Annoyingly, she looked as fresh as ever, despite the brief and violent battle.  Ted rubbed his forehead, wondering if he was losing his hair at a faster rate now he was going back into action, then dismissed the thought.

“Commander Fitzwilliam ordered me to bring you tea and cake,” she said, as she placed the tray down on his desk.  Ted blinked in surprise, then looked up at her.  There was nothing, but earnestness in her eyes.  “He also said you should get some sleep.”