The powerful Class IV lasers of the AEV Odysseus lanced out through the black, slashing into their target a hair over four seconds later. The initial burn was significant, but it wasn’t until the Odysseus’ computers had a second to analyze the hyperspectral signature of the molecular cloud burned off the alien ship and to send that data back to weapons that things really began to heat up.

“Laser strikes on our flanks, Captain. Main battery reflected . . . The smaller beams are a different frequency. We’re taking damage!”

He’d expected that, but Eric still winced at the announcement. He didn’t want to spoil their own strike by dancing around too much, and frankly, at the current ranges, they wouldn’t likely be able to evade much anyway. Any halfway decent prediction algorithm would nail them if the Odysseus implemented evasive procedures, and in exchange they’d likely lose a big chunk of their own accuracy in placing the next shot.

In the Odyssey, Eric would have done anything to keep the range open and keep moving, counting on short but fast strikes on target to end the fight in his favor. In the Odysseus, he was willing to engage in a toe-to-toe slugging match, betting that his armor and weapons would give him the edge.

►►►

► The Odysseus and Piar Cohn slung past one another at closing rates that actually bettered the speed of light by a significant fraction, both throwing laser fire at one another with abandon. Alarms and claxons screamed on both ships as damage-control teams raced to answer their clarion calls, and then it was over in just a few seconds.

The ships were two ancient jousters, both still mounted and both still alive, but one had certainly been taken by surprise in the pass.

The other sailed straight and true, a flicker of light dancing in its heart.

►►►

IBC Piar Cohn

► “Damage reports, decks nine through eighteen! We’re venting atmosphere from all levels, critical armor failures! Captain, my board is jammed with reports!”

Aymes spun around, holding on to the edge of his station for support against the violent shudders still rocking his ship, eyes wide and expression disbelieving. “What hit us?”

His tactical officer was pale, shaking, and on the edge of shock, but Aymes didn’t have time to be gentle. He grabbed the man’s shoulder and jerked him around hard. “What. Hit. Us?”

“A laser, Captain.”

Aymes stared in stunned disbelief. “A laser? How powerful a laser?”

“It wasn’t the power, Captain. I don’t know what happened, but the strike only registered the same power as one of our own.”

Aymes’ hand dropped to his side, and he shook his head. “That’s impossible. No laser could penetrate our armor that easily, not without being massively more powerful than anything we’ve ever fielded.”