“They’re in bad shape. Shieldscan hold for a while. At least while we get repairs underway. As it is, wecan’t move.”
“We’ll get you some help.”
“Much obliged.”
John broke off the link toShimodo. “Engineering, I’d be very disappointed if you weren’t listening. Mister Kowalski, organise a team for transport. Red, I need you here. Don’tleave us short.”
“Yes, sir,” both engineersanswered together.
Gillespie made a move.
“No, Steve. I need you here,”John told him.
Gillespie nodded.
“Giacomo, will you please keep usin an upright position.”
The ship looped sideways, nearlythrowing everyone out of their seats. John should have known better. He hadallowed himself to be distracted. He trusted Giacomo at the helm and that hadmade him forget the pilot’s unorthodox ways.
Antigua was in full fury. Hercaptain was obviously no stranger to battle. She had picked her target andattacked relentlessly. If she could not find a weak spot, she would make oneof her own. Her fighters were well trained. Each wing worked independently,yet combined easily to make the most of their force. Persistence and sheerdetermination saw her punch through the shields and destroy one ship.
Shimodo’s fighters didn’t knowwhere to begin. Their leaders were trying to pull them back into some sort oforder. Too much had happened too fast.
“I see you couldn’t resist a goodfight.” A familiar voice crackled through communications.
“Red leader to red four. Shutup, Daniels.”
McReidy hesitated.
“Are you all right?” Giacomoasked.
“I am now,” she grinned, arcing atracer across a pack of enemy fighters.
“Antigua’s got the right idea,”John spoke loudly. “Giacomo, get in between them.”
“Not if you want to remain in anupright position, sir,” Giacomo answered cheekily. The grin he threw McReidywas returned, but there was no hesitation in his actions as he obeyed John.
“Kowalski to bridge. Engineeringteam ready to transport.”
“Stand by,” John ordered. “Andbe careful over there.”
There was a softness in his voicethat showed genuine care. It was up to him to ensure their safety. The factthat he showed it, no matter how innocently, tended to boost their morale.
“Bismarck to Shimodo. Engineering team standing by. Let us know when you’re ready to launchfighters.” John knew they would have to drop the shields around the launchbays to let the fighters out. Only then could he transport anyone over.
“Antigua here. I’m sitting righton top of you, Shimodo. Launch when ready.”
Antigua provided the coveringfire that allowed Shimodo to drop shields and launch fighters. Kowalski’s teamtransported over.
“That’s all we’ve got,” Melchiorannounced. “Shields at full, weapons fully functional… This one’s mine.”
Antigua and Bismarck scattered. An Andromedan battleship was closing in. It correctly assumed Shimodo was introuble. It assumed too much.
“She’s powering up all weapons.” Gillespie was worried.
“Not our problem.” John knew Bismarck wouldn’t last more than a few seconds under the likely onslaught.
“But Sam…” McReidy silencedherself.
Shimodo was out of visual sightwhen she fired. At point blank range, something had to give. The overconfidentAndromedan ship waited too long. It suspected an attack from Antigua and waswatching for it. The explosion sent fragments flying in all directions. Bismarck was hit by a shockwave that sent her spinning. A few of the fighterssuffered a worse fate. Shimodo was unscathed.
“Two down, two to go,” Melchior’sdelight came through in his words.
At close range, the Andromedanscouldn’t fire without risking hitting each other. They sent out more fightersand spread apart.
By this stage, Antigua had takena battering. She had been the main attacker and in return she had received themost punishment. Her shields were beginning to weaken; a lot of her firepowerwas used up. No one could even begin to guess the state of the Andromedans. The safest assumption was that the two remaining ships were at full power.
“I guess it’s our turn,” Johndecided. “Giacomo, McReidy, take us in and give them everything we’ve got. Gillespie, keep me informed.”
Giacomo took them in. How heavoided getting hit, no one knew. His moves were instinctive. His eyes neverleft the screen, his hands knew their way around the controls without help. Hehad developed an understanding with McReidy where he instinctively seemed toknow her target. She, in turn, was guided by her own instruments andGillespie’s constant reports. They had to work on an enemy’s weakness. Johnoften gave them their heads while he concentrated on the big picture.
Sean looked for Bismarck. Likemost of Shimodo’s fighters, he had run clear of his ship to avoid being caughtin the explosion. He knew something would go. The thought that it could havebeen Shimodo didn’t even occur to him.
He spotted Bismarck; she wasmaking a move on the enemy. “Gee, John, you’re even crazier than I thought youwere!”
“Not necessarily,” Johnanswered. “Shields have weakened. We’re going to knock them down.”
“You can’t get under theirshields.”
“Not in one pass… A couple offighters might.”
“I’m game… I need some backup,guys.”
“Red four, get back here.” Sean’s leader was not pleased.
“I’m following Bismarck,” Seananswered.
“Daniels, you get back here orI’ll put you on report.”
“If we get out of this alive, youcan report me for whatever you like. Right now, I’m going with Bismarck.”
“Red five and six backing up.”
Three fighters pulled in behind Bismarck, using her for protection from the Andromedan weapons. John was aware of themand the speed they would be reaching in Bismarck’s slipstream. At the angle hewas approaching…
“Pull up! All fighters pull up! Giacomo, second pass.”
Giacomo pulled up immediately. The fighters followed. One mistimed and hit the Andromedan shields, explodingon impact, the other two pulled clear.
“What was that for?” Seandemanded.
“Our slipstream would have thrownyou into their ship,” John explained. “We’ll cut a finer angle.”
“Blue three and four here. Mindif we join you?” A different voice joined the conversation.
“Not in the least,” Seananswered. “Hey, John,” his voice faltered slightly as they made a secondapproach. “I see the Sri Lankans won the cup.”
“Damn it, Sean. I haven’t gotaround to watching it yet.”
“Sorry… It’s still worthwatching.”
McReidy updated their timingschedule: only seconds to go.
Sean heard her voice if not herwords. “Tell that gorgeous navigator of yours –”
“Tell her yourself.” John wasnot going to get involved in that sort of discussion.
“– that she owes me dinner,” Seanfinished uninterrupted, as though John had not spoken.
“I thought you were a gentleman.”
McReidy’s voice was like music toSean’s ears. “And I thought you believed in equality.” His laugh came throughin his voice. He couldn’t con
