Giacomo cut a finer angle. Torpedoes punched a hole through the weakened shields. Shearing off at thelast second, the fighters were flung through the gap and under the shields,skimming the length of the enemy cruiser. At such close range, they couldn’thelp but cause damage as they opened fire.
Pulling clear, John was contentto leave it. He suddenly remembered the scout ship. She was nowhere around. He knew she had moved away before the initial attack, obviously expecting asimple victory and seeing no need to become involved. Now the tables wereturned, it appeared she had sought escape. That was something he would notallow. Why hadn’t Gillespie kept him informed? That was his job after all.
“Where’s that scout?” hedemanded, knowing full well he was putting Gillespie on the spot.
“She’s not talking,” Tan toldthem.
One look at John’s face toldGillespie it was not worth explaining his lack of knowledge. He had to findit. And fast. He had tracked the scout earlier; her engine residue patternwas fresh in the system. A long range scan picked her up quickly. “She’srunning to Polgar. At least half hour’s headstart on us.”
“Bismarck here. We’re goingafter the scout,” John informed the two cruisers. “Shimodo, look after myengineers. I’ll be back later.”
He didn’t wait for an answer. Similarly, Giacomo didn’t wait to be told.
*
Away from the main battle, Johnhad the chance to check Bismarck’s status. The shields had held up. Therewere a few minor casualties in sick bay. Only about the same as twenty fourhours shore leave normally provided, he reflected.
He grinned broadly. He couldn’thelp the surge of pride that flowed through him. The ship and crew hadperformed well above expectations.
The scout ship picked them up onher scanners, immediately increasing speed. She had a speed comparable to Bismarck. It looked like being a long chase. Giacomo was tiring, although he would neveradmit it. Tan yanked the earphone out. He rubbed his eyes, blinking themunseeingly at the console in front of him.
John recognised the signs. “Mister Tan.”
Tan paused, turning to John.
“Take a break. We’re not like tocatch it for…”
There was a slight pause beforeMcReidy provided the answer. “Five or six hours.”
That was too long for John’sliking. He flicked the intercom. “Engineering, I’d appreciate more speed.”
His tone was relaxed. Now thatthey were out of danger he was less formal.
He appreciated the value of hiscrew, which was why he chose to dismiss them from the bridge. They could allhave a few hours to themselves. He didn’t need them to wait for replacements. Humphries would be champing at the bit and probably sitting outside the bridgedoor waiting his turn at the enemy.
It took a few seconds before anyof them could move. The effort to do so apparent on all their faces. Evenafter Giacomo flicked the autopilot, his hands remained on the controls.
Tan moved first, seeming to bethe catalyst for the others.
“McReidy, a moment,” Johnrequested.
On his feet, Giacomo hesitated,tired eyes resting on McReidy.
“Go on, I’ll be there shortly,”she told him.
Humphries wasn’t waiting and thedoor closed behind them, leaving John and McReidy alone. He switched the logoff.
“Happy now?” His eyes showed asoftness that reflected his mood.
“Yes… but…”
“The fleet?” he guessed herconcern.
She nodded.
One brow lifted slightly. “Between you and me, that was never our major concern. They were always goingto be attacked. If Antigua’s any example, they’ll do just fine. At leastthere’s no reinforcements coming after them.”
She let out a breath of sheerexhaustion and rubbed the back of her hand across her brow.
“Go join the others.”
“Are you coming?” Her questionwas more than mere politeness.
He seemed almost about to agreewhen Humphries and the relief crew put in an appearance. “What? And leavethis lot in charge?” he joked. “You’ve only got a few hours. Make the most ofit.”
“Oh, I intend to.”
The words and the attemptedserious tone made him turn back to her with a slight frown as he wondered whatexactly she meant by it. Her broad grin made him smile. He shook his headslowly as he switched the log back on and updated the fresh crew on the currentsituation.
* * *
Two and a half hours later,McReidy and the others were called back to the bridge. Humphries wanted totake out the scout ship. A simple enough task in itself, now that they hadcaught up with it. It was what else might be around that worried John.
They were deep in enemyterritory, chasing a scout ship back to a waiting fleet. Humphries could takethe scout, but he wanted his best crew back if they were going to get jumped.
He needn’t have worried. Thescout was alone – no ship breaking off the attack on the Earth fleet to come toher rescue – and no match for Bismarck. She had speed but her weapons wereinferior. She had never been intended to fight.
Then it was back to Shimodo topick up Kowalski and the others. At a much more sensible speed this time. Engineering was given their own way. The engines were suffering under thestrain of the day’s events. A request to wind them down and pull all systemsback into check was granted. An estimated time of arrival was ten to twelvehours.
There was nothing but clear spaceahead of them, though sensors and communications continually scanned fordanger.
At the end of shift, McReidy, Giacomoand Gillespie met up in the bar. A chance to relax and recount the day’sevents, exploring the possibilities of improvement. Tan left them to it. He’dhad enough of voices ripping through his head for one day and needed silence.
“Communications,” Gillespiesympathised. “It’s not as easy as people make out. You think it’s hectic whatwe hear? That’s only a fraction of what comes through his console and itthumps around your brain like…” He smiled. “Governor Cush was kind.”
They all tensed momentarily atthe memory of that headache.
Soghra brought the drinks withoutbeing asked and retreated without a word.
McReidy fingered the straw andplayed with the lemon sprig. She let the others start, her mind too full ofeverything.
There were a few minor pointswhere they believed a better choice could have been made. It was an unspokenrule that they never discussed John’s orders when they were made. Whateverthey thought
