times they slowed down to pick up the crews of
the dying ships. So far they had been lucky. Out of all the ships they
had lost, they had managed to pick up fifty per cent of the crews.
21 A few of the enemy's ships managed to get ahead of them, and came in
desperately on attack runs but they were easily destroyed or driven
off. Finally Helm gave a glorious cry. "Factor three!" he screamed.
22 North relaxed a little. Nature, herself, had just surrounded them
with shields far more powerful than anything they could make. Their,
very speed made their weapons useless, both to them and their enemies.
Even with their powerful instruments it was hard to detect what was
going on around them. But one by one they saw the ships ahead of them
wink out of existence.
23 There were only about six of them left when Firing Control cried out
a warning. "There's two of them on our stern, coming right up our
tubes! I think they're trying to ram US!”
24 "They couldn't have picked a worse time!" cursed North.
25 Coming upon their leap point, they could not change their course,
or, their speed! Of course the enemy knew that. That is when they would
try such a desperate tactic. They would give their lives for North's
ship....two who1e crews if they had to. North turned to Navigation.
"How long?" he asked.
26 "Twenty seconds, sir, and we drop crystal!"
27 "We haven't got it!" screamed Firing Control. "They'll hit us in
eighteen!"
28 North had only moments to decide what to do. But the decision was
made for him. Firing Control suddenly screamed, "Somebody's coming in
on them!"
29 Somehow North didn't have to ask who it was. In his mind's eye he
could see The Pride Of Hades diving in on the two attackers coming up
on his stern. He would later