right of Command. Where my vessel is fully
functional I am assuming right of initial combat. Repeat, data link
essential!"
18 They were less than an hour from the point where the maneuver would
commence when Firing Control sat up and smiled. "Data link, sir!
Perfect flow! Computer is digesting material. They're packed awful
tight. Two destroyers in close to the cruiser, the two others are
winged out on either side. We should be able to hit the starboard wing
and still get in position to throw a bolt."
19 The grim look on the Firing Control Officer's face told North he
didn't like his calculations. "Firing Control," inquired North, "the
small auxiliary beams ...we have twelve of them, right; three on each
quadrant; top, starboard, bottom, port?"
20 "Yes, sir," acknowledged Firing Control.
21 "What if we turned nine of them to starboard and had them fire wide
beam when we throw our bolt? Would their positive beams eat up any of
the negative plasma coming back towards us?"
22 The Firing Control Officer began to do some hurried calculations.
"There's no doubt, sir," he announced, "it would give us some
extra
margin; just how much, I'm not sure."
23 "Set it up," ordered North, "but do it on automatic controls. I
don't want any personnel in those pods when we fire."
24 "Understood, sir," Firing Control acknowledged. Ahead of them
Morn's engine began to give out its last effort, as North and his ship
closed in. "It's now or never," cried North. "Countdown to maneuver!"
25 "Yes, sir!" snapped Helm. "Five, four, three, two, one, maneuver!"
26 Ahead of them The Son's Pride fired its top maneuvering thrusters
and fell away out of North's line of