to the system between stations seventy-six and
seventy eight. Give Helm the bearings. As soon as you have it, Helm,
turn us around. Communications, to Fleet. This signal from Commander,
Lord's Vengeance. Volunteering for described mission. Am underway. Will
advise. To the approaching destroyer; 'do not wish to wait for docking.
Will put my injured in our bus. Will you exchange yours with us? We
will exchange again, on our return.'"
76 Communications transmitted, then waited for the responses.
"Destroyer signaling," he announced, "'you're welcome to our bus. Have
nine volunteers to replace your injured crewmen. They are of equal rank
and station. Will you accept?"
77 "Acknowledge," ordered North, "'Extra hands welcome. Send them over
on the bus."
78 As the two ships neared, each dropped their busses. They quickly
made their way to the opposite vessel. As soon as the destroyer's bus
was securely in his bay, North got underway. "Helm," he ordered,
"increase speed. Violate crush line by two gravities. Communications,
put me on internal speakers."
79 When the light on his panel lit, North began to speak. "All hands,
this is Command. As you can tell, we're taking a few gravities. There's
a ship out there in an empty system that's not responding to signals.
It may be a simple communication's failure or it may be something far
worse. We must believe the worst, and make all haste to their rescue.
80 Those on duty stay at your stations. Those off duty, move around as
little as possible. I figure at this rate we can cut our time to the
first leap point to one day, and our realignment for the other one, to
two. I know we can stand a little discomfort for three days. If our
fellow service mates ARE in trouble out there, we must get to them as
soon as we can. Command, out."
81 North stayed on the command deck for several