at your command."
103 "Good man!" praised North. "Launch then let's get underway."
104 The large doors at the cruiser's rear opened, and its small star
drive scout ship pulled away. As soon as it was clear, both ships fired
up their engines and headed out. "Why don't we leap ahead,sir?"
suggested Number Three.
105 "I'd love to," answered North, "instead of spending weeks following
this trail. But that might be precisely what they want us to do. A
little way ahead the trail may turn into uncharted space, or, back
deeper into The Empire. No. For now we play his game and follow him. No
matter where he leads us ...at this rate we'll overtake him as he's
entering that system. We'd have done it sooner, if those damned
converters worked right!"
106 But tracking along at seven factors wasn't that bad, surrounded by
the light field that formed once you exceeded three factors, you were
safe from anything, except passing a star. It was when you slowed down
that things got dangerous. Once you neared a system you had to be
constantly aware of your crush line.
107 The Instructors in The Academy had drummed this into North's head
again and again. "Always know where that invisible barrier is, the
point where your ship is no longer falling towards a gravitational
field but is pulling away from it faster than your planetary drive can
compensate. It's like slamming into an invisible wall. Cross it wrong,
and you'll kill everyone on board.
108 Your ships have automatic systems that protect you, but they're not
always quick enough. The greatest protection you have is not exceeding
your crush line, never getting in a dangerous situation. Be one step
ahead all the time. Always know what ways you can turn in any
situation. That's what makes a good Commander. You don't wait until the
last minute to make a plan of action. You have several ready at all
times."