“Get me a secure line,” thecaptain ordered Wilson. “Let’s find out who our friends are.”
John was relieved when theAndromedans broke off the attack. He had counted on them picking up histransmission to Independence. The timely appearance of McReidy’s energy fieldhad given the illusion of approaching ships, the precise location of which wasundetectable among the asteroids.
“They’re safe for now,” Johnsighed. “Giacomo, turn us around –”
“Sir, we’re being called by Independence,” Gillespie interrupted. “It’s on a secure channel.”
“Put it through,” John decided. For a moment, he had been tempted to leave it unanswered.
“This is Captain Pemberton of the Independence. Please identify.”
The words came through as theimage came on screen.
“Commander Madison, Bismarck,”John answered.
Pemberton couldn’t hide the shockon his face. It was obvious he had expected another battleship captain, notthe commander of a transport. He quickly pulled himself together. “That was one hell of a bluff you pulled out there. For a scout.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“What made you think it wouldwork?”
“I figured you had nothing tolose.”
Pemberton nodded as John’shonesty struck home.
“How’s Canberra?” John asked.
“She’s in a bad way. She tookthe initial onslaught. If you hadn’t turned up, we’d probably be in the samestate by now. I hope I can return the favour.”
“I hope you never have to.”
Pemberton ended the transmission.
John raised his hand to his browand began to rub it slowly, as though trying to remember what he had been aboutto do. Giacomo looked up at him, waiting silently for the order he knew was tocome. John caught his gaze.
“Turn us around. Plot anintercept course for that convoy we passed. Full speed. It’s about timesomeone evened up the odds.”
McReidy caught his eyes as hegave the order. He didn’t try to hide the dark anger burning within them. Ananger that came from his heart.
John was calm. Having made hisdecision, he would accept the outcome. He wasn’t about to do anything he wouldconsider reckless, even if others might think that way. He thought of Canberra, Magellan… and Ark Royal. His heart hardened.
“Mister Tan.”
“Sir?” Tan answered a littlehesitantly. He slowly turned to John, expecting a verbal onslaught.
“Are you going to query my ordersagain?” John’s voice was calm. He was in complete control, and needed thecrew to know it.
“N-no, sir.”
“Good,” John nodded. “Take yourposition. Gillespie, get back to yours. McReidy…”
When he didn’t continue, sheturned her head. He waved her over. She gave her console a second glance androse from her seat.
He grabbed her elbow as she movednear, pulling her down to his level. The faint scent of rose blossom filledhis nostrils. “You still doubt me?” he whispered.
“No.”
“Then you doubt yourself. Don’t. You’re the closest to Giacomo,” he nodded towards the pilot. “He needsyour confidence. I don’t want to have to take the helm from him.”
John released McReidy’s arm. Shestraightened up, returned to her position and glanced at Giacomo. He wasfocused.
Back to top
Chapter twelve
The convoy was on the mainscreen. It appeared as before. Gillespie scanned the area. There was nothingelse around. Just Bismarck, the convoy and open space.
John flicked the intercom. “Attention, all crew. We’re about to encounter the enemy. Weapons, keepeverything loaded for the bridge and hit something if you can. On my call. Engineering,keep the line open.”
He didn’t wait foracknowledgements.
“McReidy, pick a target,” Johntold her.
“Umm…” McReidy studied thescreen. They were still out of range, and would be for quite a while. Thiswas no simulation, and she was extremely cautious. “I’d take out the twofighters flying solo.”
“Good choice, but you’re thinkingtoo small. They’re protecting the cruiser. It’s already damaged. We’re goingto go in and knock out those fighters, then punch a big hole in the side ofthat cruiser.”
A whisper of apprehensionfiltered through the intercom. John didn’t know if it was engineering orweapons, but figured on both.
“Giacomo, move into their exhausttrail. We don’t want them picking us up too early. We’re going to need heatshields up as well. Engineering, I’m going to need all the power you can giveme.”
“You’ve got it, sir,” Redanswered.
“Whenever you’re ready, Giacomo,go for it.”
Giacomo asked the ship to kick upa gear and she responded. She moved into the exhaust trail. Forward shieldswere pelted with ionic residue. They warmed immediately, and the image on themain screen blurred. Temperatures quickly soared and the image began topixelate as the ship hurtled towards the convoy.
“Hull temperature –” beganCrocker.
“I don’t want to know about itunless it reaches critical,” John brushed off the engineer’s warning. Hewaited until the last possible moment. “Pull out now. Target fighters andfire when ready!”
McReidy fired phasers, destroyingboth fighters. Giacomo flew through the scattering debris. The cruiser loomedup in front of them, an ugly burn scarred towards her port engine. A directhit took out the whole section. Giacomo veered away sharply.
Being so deep within their ownterritory, the Andromedan cruiser’s defences were slack. She was quick torespond to the threat, putting shields up and firing back before Giacomo couldturn for another pass.
“Go between them. They can’tfire the heavy stuff that close,” John instructed.
Giacomo slipped between thecruiser and its nearest ally. He accidentally brushed against their shieldsand Bismarck was buffeted about between the two enemy ships. They nearlycannoned into a third fighter, which McReidy destroyed. Shrapnel sprayed theforward shields as they flew through it.
“Damage report,” John demanded.
“We’re fine, sir,” Red answered. “The cruiser’s lost her port engine shields.”
John smiled. “Get us under herguard. Strip the whole port side.”
Once under their defences, thecruiser was at John’s mercy, of which he had none. The shockwave of theexplosion threw Bismarck clear. Her shields protected her from damage andGiacomo soon had her under control. She was far enough away for the fightersto attack without risking hitting their own ships.
John was tempted to take thehelm. He felt like a passenger in the vengeance the crew was taking. He alsoloved Giacomo’s instinctive flying. The pilot was doing better than any of hissimulation results had indicated – although attacking a convoy single handedwas not listed in any simulation.
Gillespie’s scans found anotherviable target. A battleship whose weapon systems had been damaged so badlythat she couldn’t fire back. Giacomo lured the fighters
