The salvo of projectiles was somewhat less effective, but some of them struck as well, and by the time they had thinned out, the second Drasin was limping away.

“Continue firing on our primary target,” she ordered, eyeing the state of affairs and noting with some chagrin that her constant barrage of laser energy was taking almost twice as long to inflict equitable damage as to the first ship.

It was dying, that was certain, but it was taking its time doing so, and now it was grating on her sensibilities.

“Adjust all lasers to target the same point,” she ordered, noting that the Drasin wasn’t maneuvering anymore, so a firing pattern would merely be wasteful. “And prepare a pursuit course for the escaping ship.”

“Yes, Captain.”

The Odyssey slid past them, launching small ships from its bays as it did. Its armor was scored in a dozen places that she could see on screen, and one of the big rotating drums along its side purchase had a visible gash in it.

So they aren’t invulnerable, she thought, eyeing the readings on the strange ship with a skeptical eye. There was something truly off about the power readings, but she couldn’t figure out what it was. It was just…off.

She let the ship pass without comment and watched as two small craft paced alongside the Cerekus, following her back along their mother ship’s previous course.

What are they? Tianne thought, then cut off as one peeled away toward a beaming beacon. Ah…rescue craft.

Tianne nodded and then put them out of her mind.

She had work to do.

“Prepare a course to planetary intercept,” Weston ordered tiredly, the last hurrah dying down on the bridge as the sensors recorded their hits.

“Aye, Captain,” Daniels replied.

“Waters, keep an eye on those two ships. Let me know if their status changes,” he said, looking over at Lamont. “Susan…How bad?”

“We vented about fifteen percent of our O-two when the habitat was blown,” she replied. “We’re okay on stores, but if the planet can spare us some, it would be helpful.”

Weston nodded. “I don’t think that they’ll mind.”

“No, sir.” A slight smile played on her lips. “I don’t suppose they will.”

“What else?”

“The language lab was badly damaged…”

“Language?” Weston’s voice sharpened. “Any casualties?”

“Dr. Palin and his assistant were sent to the medical bays with carbon dioxide poisoning, but they’re going to be okay. We’re doing a headcount to see if anyone else was there,” Lamont told him.

Weston slumped back. “Very well. Tell the chief…Just tell her good job.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

“Course prepared, Captain,” Daniels spoke up softly.

“Engage it, then,” Weston ordered. “We have some people to pick up, some others to talk to, and some to mourn.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

CHAPTER 38

HIS BOOTS CLICKED against the metal floor of the Odyssey’s hallways. Behind him, the chorus of similar footfalls announced their passage to anyone within hearing. Crew members melted aside, giving the worn-looking group free passage through the halls. There was a certain level of awe in the air, the way Stephanos knew that there always was after a battle.