computer. His fingers hovered over the weapon commands. He hoped Commander Lidon wouldn’t hog all the fighting.
“Transport and Tragooms arming weapons. Tragooms are firing!”
For the barest instant, as the brilliant light of a fusion torpedo being launched appeared at the bow of the enemy’s craft, Osopa’s being filled with a savage joy. The fight, which he’d been made for, was beginning.
Lights on his console flashed red. His elation disappeared. “They’re aiming for—”
He had no chance to say us. The bridge flashed white, blinding him. A deafening boom pierced his ears. Behind it, the sound of crunching and shrieking metal tore through the atmosphere. Alarms blared and men shouted, adding to the hellish cacophony.
The bridge’s lights flickered before going out, plunging Osopa into darkness, lit only by the strobing indicators from his and other podiums. A glow appeared to his right as an auxiliary station against the wall caught on fire. The lights came on again.
The Nobek braced himself against his restraints, refuting the instinct to hold onto his station for support. He fought to bring his flashing monitors online, hoping the weapons systems hadn’t been knocked out. He snarled in fury as debris rained down on his shoulders.
“Cloaking system offline!” Simdow’s yell filled the aftermath of the blast. The continued din of crashing struts and podiums surrounded them.
“Move us into attack position.” Tranis’ calm tone was shocking in the wake of destruction.
“Course laid in.” Hearing Tukui’s breathless but even tone was a relief.
“Helm’s not responding,” Simdow reported.
“We’ve lost port thrusters,” Osopa confirmed.
“Compensating.”
Tukui called, “Use plasma venting on the port, Commander, one-eighth release.”
“Got it. Keep correcting me as needed, Navigator. My readings are blinking in and out.”
Tranis turned to Osopa. “Weapons systems?”
“Intact. My computer’s operations have been restored, and I’m working on getting a lock.”
“As soon as you do, hit them with everything you’ve got.”
The Earther transport was already locked in fierce battle with the Tragooms. Commander Lidon and the Kalquorian crew manning it were the only reason the spyship hadn’t been blasted into dust. It was little more than a target waiting to be taken out.
Not on my watch. Not with my clan on board. Osopa snarled.
Simdow and Tukui worked together to set the spyship in optimal fighting position. Osopa aimed his weapons at the already heavily damaged enemy vessel and joined in the onslaught. At least he’d get a few shots in.
He shouted with savage glee as the Tragooms’ weapons array was ripped apart. He sighted on the engines and readied to unleash carnage.
Without warning, his readings went haywire, the targeting system flailing to find its objective. At the same moment, Tukui and Simdow both cried out.
“We’re drifting, heading altered to forty degrees port.”
“Helm control’s gone, Captain.”
“Seventy degrees. Eighty. We’re in a spin.”
Osopa checked his diagnostics and snarled. “Our remaining thrusters have failed.”
The lights blacked out again, sending them into utter darkness. After a few rapid heartbeats, emergency backup power brought up half the usual illumination.
Osopa bit off a curse. “All systems are now on backup, Captain. Main power is offline.”
Com officer Slokin had better news. “Public address is down, but I have a message incoming from Commander Lidon, Captain.”
“He’ll have to wait. What’s going on with the transport and the Tragoom vessel?” Tranis demanded.
“The transport is still firing on the Tragooms.” It took effort for Osopa to keep the awe out of his tone. He’d known the Earther carrier was armed to the teeth, but to see it in action was astounding. Under Lidon’s command, it could have given a Kalquorian destroyer a hellacious battle. “The transport is turning the Tragooms’ scrap heap into a bigger scrap heap. I think the fight is within seconds of being over.”
Tranis didn’t hide his relief. He uncoupled his restraints and headed toward Osopa’s station. “Do you have vid on that?”
Slokin’s shout stopped him in his tracks. “Captain! Commander Lidon says the Tragoom vessel’s destruction is imminent and we need to break off. It’s going to blow.”
Osopa went cold. They were much too close to the enemy vessel. If it exploded before they could put distance between the ships—
Tranis pivoted and rushed to Simdow, who was working his controls frantically. “Use venting for propulsion. Tukui, give me a heading.”
“I’ll try, but the we’re in a spin and instruments are barely responding.”
Osopa watched his panel with growing horror as they moved from the stricken Tragooms far too slowly.
My clan. I swore to protect them from harm. Tina…
Calling on all his self-control to keep his voice steady, he called, “The Earther transport has cleared