"Order Alpha and Charlie Squadrons to space out into a blockade line and maintain their course and speed. Explain to Chang they need to start corralling Kohl's ships into a funnel that will let Bravo Squadron get at least one more pass at them before they have to reverse course. By then, the other two formations should be able to come down and engage. If he does this correctly, he can break this fleet right here."

"I'm going to just talk to him," Hawkins said, slipping his headset up. "Too much to type out to him."

"CIC to Bridge," Jackson said, holding down the intercom button on his seat.

"Go ahead, sir," Barrett answered.

"Captain, we're going to assume the ship hiding behind that moon is the Implacable. Please, make the Nemesis ready for a warp hop into that vicinity. Don't execute until I'm back on the bridge."

"Aye, sir."

"Admiral, Captain Chang is sending a channel request. Audio only," Hawkins said, pointing at his headset. Jackson pointed at the ceiling, indicating he wanted it on the overhead speakers.

"This is Commander Hawkins aboard the TFS Nemesis. You're on, Captain Chang."

"Commander, I am humbled and honored by the help you have provided the planet Xinjia today. You may still not be my friend, but nor are you my enemy. My deepest condolences for the spacers you've lost here, including the loss of Admiral Wolfe. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Jackson shook his head and made a wave-off motion with his hands, telling Hawkins he didn't want Chang knowing he'd transferred from the Saber.

"I appreciate that, Captain," Hawkins said., "We are going to try and take out the commanding officer of this attacking fleet, and then we'll be leaving. Good luck to you, Captain. Hawkins out."

"Channel closed," the com operator said.

"Commander Hawkins, you and your crew have done an outstanding job," Jackson said, standing and grabbing his tile. "I'll be back on the bridge."

"We were honored to have you, sir," Hawkins said, almost managing to sound sincere. Jackson decided not to respond and walked out of CIC, anxious to get the last phase of this mission started.

37

"Admiral, if we don't send our reserves, the Xinjian forces will tear our remaining ships to shreds," Russo said, pleading his case again.

"I've heard you the first two times, Captain. The answer is still no."

"May I inquire why, sir?"

Vadim Kohl looked up from his display, staring at Russo as if seeing him for the first time. Russo suppressed a shudder as the stare went well past the point of being uncomfortable.

"It will soon no longer be relevant," Kohl said. "We were sent to try and secure the system by neutralizing the defense force before Makov's group arrives. We failed thanks to Admiral Wolfe's interference. Once Makov and Chan arrive, they will be the ones to gain control of the system. Perhaps our methods were too soft. I would have much preferred nobody was hurt and, barring that, only military personnel were put at risk. The masters of this secret cabal have no such compunction. When their ships arrive and see it is still contested, they will go directly to Xinjia and attack civilian targets with their fighters and cannons. They'll bring Xinjia to its knees, and the death toll will be horrific."