Corso could see the fine network of work-bays and pressurized cabins surrounding the frigate, and several tiny craft moving steadily away from it. One was a shuttle carrying Simenon’s skeleton crew, while the rest undoubtedly contained the engineers and repair specialists who had been working on the hull until the order to evacuate.

According to a string of data floating next to the frigate it was indeed under way, but its speed was still relatively incremental despite the enormous amount of energy flowing out of the fusion drives.

‘Any sign of Dakota’s ship?’ asked Corso, still holding Lamoureaux upright. He appeared to be barely conscious.

‘I think she’s on the frigate’s far side,’ Perez replied. ‘One moment.’

The starscape overhead wheeled suddenly, spinning around by a hundred and eighty degrees. Now Corso could see a Magi ship rapidly approaching. It looked, as ever, like some creature born to live between the stars, its forward-reaching drive-spines like the grasping tentacles of a monstrous sea-creature.

Lamoureaux’s head flopped against Corso’s arm, and he grasped the machine-head under one shoulder and guided him down from the interface chair. Perez helped drag him over to one of the couches lining the walls of the bridge.

Leo Olivarri suddenly appeared, looking breathless. He glanced from Lamoureaux to Corso with a questioning expression.

‘Leo,’ said Corso. ‘I need you to get Mr Lamoureaux here to the med-bay.’

Olivarri nodded and came over, clearly recognizing this was no time for questions. Lamoureaux’s skin was clammy but together they managed to get him back on to his feet. He gradually seemed to become a little more aware of his surroundings, and then Olivarri helped him out of the bridge.

Perez looked worried. ‘Senator, without someone manning the interface chair, we’re going to be at a very serious disadvantage.’

Corso sucked in a breath and turned back to study the overhead projection. By now the Mjollnir had mostly passed out of the orbital dock, while the Magi ship had drawn abreast of it. The two hostile corvettes, identified by icons floating beside them, were still a few thousand kilometres distant.

Another string of data appeared directly between the Magi ship and the frigate, marking a single blip moving quickly across the gap between the two craft.

That’s her, Corso thought. But why was she leaving her ship? Surely she was intending to accompany the Mjollnir from inside her own vessel?

‘Senator.’ Corso turned to Perez. ‘We have pulse-weapons mounted on the hull, but we’ve had to divert most of their power to the fusion drives. Unless you can come up with something very soon, we’re going to be sitting ducks for those corvettes.’