► As the squadron delved deeper into the gravity field of the local star, the variables stressing the drives multiplied. Planets, moons, even large asteroids became factors that required consideration by the engineers charged with maintaining the integrity of the drives. This wasn’t normally an issue. Those potential variables were relatively mild and not especially difficulty to factor in. However, when combined with fifteen unstable singularity cores—more, actually, since most ships in the squadron used redundant cores—things could become touchy.

That was why, as the ships sank deeper into the system, the squadron spread out further to reduce interference while increasing weapon and scanner coverage. That had the effect of exposing their numbers, of course, but in this situation that didn’t concern the navarch.

They broke into three elements of five ships apiece, two moving to flank the target ship while the third continued on a direct interception course. Approaching within a few light-minutes, they increased power to the drives as they went into terminal attack mode.

The squadron led with a brace of laser strikes, beams lancing out across the vacuum of space as an early announcement of its arrival.

►►►

PW Heral’c

► “Secure armor, best available settings,” Senthe ordered as he sat at his station.

The enemy were doing exactly what he wanted them to do, and that was making him more than a little nervous. They were showing no interest in the planet at all, focusing their entire weight on his ship for whatever bizarre reason they might have.

He didn’t understand their reasoning. The task force coming in his direction was far greater than what it would realistically take to eliminate a single ship like his Heral’c. They could have easily detached two-thirds of their weight without risking anything.

“Why are they chasing us so intently?” he murmured.

“Captain?”

“Nothing,” Senthe said, shaking his head. “Nothing.”

“Yes Captain.”

And now my crew is going to start thinking I’m crazy, he thought with some amusement.

It didn’t matter, not anymore. The incoming squadron was clearly choosing a hostile attack vector, and unless he was mistaken, it had already opened fire.

“Best bring damage control to full alert,” he said.

“They should already be on alert, Captain,” his second said.

“Then make sure they are,” Senthe said tersely.

“Yes Captain.”

“Helm control . . .”

“Captain?”

“Evasion pattern, execute immediately,” Senthe said. “I expect they’ve fired already. Let’s not be where they expect us to be.”

“Yes Captain.”

The Heral’c shifted course, almost insignificantly by planetary standards but by several thousand kilometers from its projected position. It was the most basic of tactics, but also incredibly effective.

After that, Senthe just had to wait and see if he was right. With the alarms screaming, he got his answer just moments later.

“Report!”

“Beam trace, Captain,” his weapons officer announced. “High level, over our current capacity by at least twenty percent. No variance.”