At the end of the Talbot'slong spine was the globe of its main hull, a dark silhouette against the bright polygon of the sail that collected solar energy to recharge the ship's interstellar jump drive. The bright, irregular dots in the distance were the cache ships and the asteroidal debris among which they were hidden.
"She's coming across now," Jones reported.
The lumpy ovoid of the Orion's Swordslowly intruded from the screen's left, eclipsing the view. Flares of light erupted in irregular rhythm along her flanks as her maneuvering thrusters nudged her around the Talbot'sspine and clear of the sail. Safely distanced from the JumpShip, the Orion's Swordfired her aft thrusters and started on an arcing course that took her around behind the sail. She disappeared from view, but Elson could follow her trajectory on the orbital-path monitor. The Orion's Swordwas headed directly for the largest concentration of cache ships.
"Glory hound."
"That remains to be seen, Captain Edelstein," Elson said softly.
They waited for the Orion's Swordto emerge from the blocking zone of the Talbot'ssail. "Captain," Jones said, voice pitched higher than normal. "Talbot'sbridge reports movement among the bogies."
"Has the Oriongot it?"
"Neg. She's screened from us by the sail and the bogey's running behind what should be"—Jones paused to consult a secondary screen—"the Alexander."
Brandon tapped the keys that routed the line to the Talbot'sbridge and directly into the captain's earpiece. She listened, running her tongue over her upper lip. Elson found the display of nervousness unprofessional. "Are you planning to detach to take up a support position, Captain Brandon?"
"Those are the orders from JumpShip."
As he had expected. "Patch me through."
"This is space ops, Major Elson."
That was expected as well, but Elson was unfazed. "As a member of the officer council in command of this expedition, I outrank all aerospace commanders except Colonel Atwyl of the Talbot,who is also a member of the council. Are you disobeying an order?"
Brandon's tongue appeared again. She shrugged. "Talk all you want. Patch him through, Mister Jones."
"Thank you, Captain," said Elson with a thin smile.
Brandon grumbled, but Elson noted that she did not halt her preparations for undocking. She would learn.
"Colonel Atwyl, this is Major Elson Novacat aboard the Hammer.I understand you have given orders that we undock and take up a position supporting the Orion's Sword."
"I'm busy, Elson," Atwyl replied tersely.
"Acknowledged. May I remind you that Colonel MacKenzie Wolf specifically ordered that his be the only DropShip detached from the Talbotuntil contact with the cache ships was achieved?"
"That was before we had a bogey."
"It was a specific order. In that connection, I point out that there is no evidence of imminent threat to warrant a legitimate disobedience."
Atwyl's sigh buzzed as static on the commlink. "That bogey might—"
"And it might not," Elson said sharply.
"I don't like taking chances."
"Which is exactly what you are doing with your career by disobeying an order. Even Colonel Jaime Wolf subjected himself to discipline." Elson was pleased at Atwyl's lack of response. Time for the next step. "The Orion's Swordwill clear the sail shortly, correct?"
"Ten minutes."
"And there will be another estimated twenty for transit time to the cache orbit. That is more than enough time to communicate with Colonel Wolf and let him make his own decision."
Atwyl thought it over for a few seconds before replying, "Very well." Then he added, "Captain Brandon, keep the Hammerready for departure."
"Aff," Brandon acknowledged.
"Sound strategy, Colonel," Elson said.
Turning to the screen, Elson watched the almost unchanging picture for half of the ten minutes. He checked the orbital monitor and smiled. Though hardly an expert in aerospace tactics, he understood the uses of cover and the necessity for subterfuge when dealing with a larger opponent. The enemy would be waiting out there—if indeed there was an enemy.
The Orion's Swordhad barely cleared the shadow of the jump sail when energy beams lanced out from among the debris belt. Silent flowers of light burst from the side of the Orion's Sword.The comm crackled with a nearly garbled voice. "Warning only, claim-jumpers. These ships are ours. Stick around and you'll get worse."
"This is Wolf Dragoon ship Orion's Sword,MacKenzie Wolf commanding. You are trespassing on Dragoon property. If you do not leave immediately, you will be considered looters."
"Frak," was the reply over the comm. The bogey made a more substantive response by firing again.
Elson spoke as the bogey's beams raked the Orion's Sword. "Orion's Swordis under fire, Captain Brandon. I order you to detach the Hammerimmediately and take her in on a vector that will provide us a rapid approach to the bogey."
Atwyl's order to do the same came half a minute later, but Elson was already giving his Elementals orders to suit up.
Edelstein was grinning.
"Gonna save the wolf cub's ass."
"We are going to do our duty. Recovery of the cache ships is our prime mission. If that involves the sacrifice of MacKenzie Wolf's pride, so be it. He could be losing a lot more."
Edelstein nodded, his grin growing wider. "Be a shame if the looters got him, wouldn't it?"
"I would not cry." Elson shrugged off his contemplation of the irritating MacKenzie and what might come from this interplay of orders once the action was over. Until then there was a fight to be fought. "Have First Star report to the shuttle bay. All other Stars proceed to boarding stations. Drill Beta."
"Aff, Major Elson."
As Edelstein raced to the lift, Elson called after him. "The shuttle team will pursue the bogey. Boarding parties are to secure the hostile ships. Assignments at your discretion. If MacKenzie Wolf proceeds with his plan, he may need help. Some of the looters may have boarded the cache ships and be laying traps."
"Aff," Edelstein affirmed as he stepped into the lift.
"I will lead First Star."
Edelstein flashed a salute as the lift doors closed. Elson swept his gaze around the bridge. He admired the way each of the spacers attended to his or her task. He was pleased that his crew was efficient.
Almost too efficient. The Hammer'sdetaching caught him off guard. Though he managed to stay on his feet, the feat lacked the grace of his previous performance. This time no one noticed, which was good. A true commander had to maintain his dignity.
Calmly, he walked to the lift and called for the car. There would be more than enough time to don his battle armor.