8 "Coming up on leap point," announced
Navigation, "We have to decelerate, now."
9 "Perform the maneuver," Morn ordered. The starship's engines cut
their forward thrust and the ship rapidly lost speed. Those behind them
closed in. Morn pulled the boy against his legs, and put a strap around
him. He already had the little girl secured to him.
10 "They've launched a barrage! " screamed Firing Control, "It'll reach
us in seven seconds!"
11 "We'll be gone by then," answered Helm. "Five seconds to leap! Four,
three, two, one!" In a shimmering glow The Son's Pride disappeared.
Seconds later the missiles reached where she should have been, and
exploded, but their target was materializing light years away.
12 At Morn's feet the little boy was choking and the girl on his lap
was screaming, so he had little time to see to his own discomfort. As
soon as he had the girl calmed down, he looked to Helm. "Right on the
mark!" Helm announced, "Less than one-hundredth of a degree
off entry point!
We've got a clear run into system."
13 "We have enough safety margin," ordered Morn, "to take it easy.
Communications, advise System Control we're coming in. Tell them to
keep any other traffic out of our way except for a single system
cutter, with as many Nurses as it can carry....FEMALE Nurses. I want
them up here as quick as they can get them!"
14 Morn punched out sick bay on his intercom. "How many did we lose,
Doc?" he asked.
15 "Five," the Doctor answered, "but they didn't have a chance anyway.
We've got two more going. There's just nothing we can do. But I think
the rest will make it, if we can get them to the hospital within three
days."
16 Morn looked up to Navigation and Helm. "Got it made, sir!' they
announced almost in unison. "Two and three-quarter days."
17 "Incoming message, sir," snapped Communications,