He really hoped that the crew could see through their tears as he casually opened a screen on his multifunction display, dipped into the communications control, and issued an override order as he opened a hailing line to the enemy.

I wonder what they’ll think of this?

►►►

IBC Shion Thon, Flagship, Third Reconnaissance Squadron

► Misrem blinked as she eyed the course telemetry that was playing out across the feeds, not quite believing what she was seeing.

“I believe, Navarch,” her second spoke softly, “that they have accepted your challenge.”

“These people are not Oathers,” Misrem said, shaking her head firmly. “Where did they come from?”

“Respectfully, My Lady,” her second said, “at this moment, let us be more concerned with where they are going.”

He had a point. The collision course was a clear challenge, but it was also a very large threat. If the two ships passed too closely, such proximity might destabilize their drives, which would leave both of them out of the fight—at best. At worst . . . she couldn’t think of many worse ways to die than being swallowed eternally into a singularity drive as gravity slowly tore you apart.

“Course change, My Lady?”

“Hold course,” she ordered, leaning in.

The fighting around them faded into the background for Misrem as she glared at the screens, watching the lead enemy cruiser head straight for them. The vessel was decelerating easily as powerfully as her own ships were, which would prolong the engagement, but if her calculations were correct, they still wouldn’t be able to come to a stop relative to one another.

Now, she was no longer sure she wanted to.

“As you command, My Lady.” The helm officer’s voice was fearful, but he didn’t disobey.

►►►

AEV Bellerophon

► Captain Roberts refrained from commenting on the insane maneuvers of his former captain, instead choosing to focus on the enemy element that was still closing on the now-crippled and drifting Hood.

“Cut them down,” he ordered.

The Bell’s lasers lanced out, burning into the lead ship in the element. The Heroic Class cruiser held steady on target long enough to get a return for hyperspectral analysis to start computing the optimum frequency with which to strike. The Bell’s computers soon adjusted the laser frequency and tripled beam strength.

“We’re taking hits along our flanks!”

“Hold to target!” cried Roberts. “Cut them in half!”

The Bellerophon bore down through the center of the enemy formation, lasers adapted and fully powered. The beams vaporized armor and superstructure with ease, continuing on through the inner decks as the Bell shrugged off fire from all sides.

When the beam cored through to the enemy ship’s singularity drive, it struck one of the magnetic stabilizers and that was the end.

The vessel shuddered at first, acceleration dying while it hurtled along its previous course. Then suddenly the hull collapsed in on itself.