over there's got to have a new system engine, two
new star drives, and the whole control system's got to be rebuilt.
We'll be five months on her, but we'll be four months on this one! Half
her hull's got to be replaced."
55 North laughed. "At least there's something to replace!"
56 He put his jacket over his head and brought the front panel around
to fasten it. When the Engineer saw the Command Tags and the name
plate, he looked like he was going to faint!
57 "I beg your pardon, sir," he remarked, "I meant no offense."
58 "None was taken," answered North, "you're absolutely right. I DID
take an awful risk, but I calculated that risk to the circumstances I
was in. I didn't have time for a prolonged engagement, I had to strike
fast, neutralize the opposing force, pick up the other ship, and get
out of there.
59 To do that, I had to do something the attackers wouldn't suspect,
and throwing a bolt at THAT range took them completely by surprise.
Instead of eliminating one ship in that first pass, I eliminated three
and gave Morn the opportunity to eliminate another. That gave us the advantage.
In combat you can't always depend on your fire power. You've got to use
your brain."
60 "My sister," the young Engineer laughed, "would love to talk to you!
She's crazy about this battle stuff! She reads all the historical
accounts and often sits for hours figuring how SHE would have fought
the battle if SHE was the general. Foolish stuff for a girl, huh?"
61 "Among OUR people," commented North, "but remember, during The
Hashon War, twenty-five per cent of the Ship Commanders we fought were
women, and they blew our tails off! Never underestimate the female of
the species! I'd like to discuss tactics with your sister sometime, if
your parents would permit."