ications console
and turned to face Hyk.

"And you, Har, you're a Plutonian and should
understand, better than most where the real
treachery lies. You've seen Narval's psychic probes
placed on board and must have suspected what they
and Scarf's troops aboard must mean. Think, man.
Tell me I can count on you."

"I'm an officer in the service of President
Narval," Hyk growled, "and I remain loyal to him.
I accept that Captain Yargoul has replaced you as
Supreme Commander of the Combined Fleet. The
Plutonian forces in this combined fleet now come
under my command. Drummer; I place you under
arrest. If you resist I won't hesitate to shoot you
down where you are."

Hyk drew his weapon and aimed it at Drummer.

"Easy does it, Har."

Brad spoke from where he stood off to the side.
Hyk shifted his focus and saw the weapon raised
in Brad's grip. Reacting instinctively, he crouched
and swung toward Brad, the nozzle of his gun
flaring. A tight beam laced across Hyk's chest,
and he crumpled to the deck. Brad slipped his gun
back into its sheath.

Captain Yargoul's commanding voice blasted from
the ship's loudspeakers, addressing the fleet.

"All ships' Commanders. You've heard and witnessed
Admiral Drummer's treasonous statements. I am
compelled, by circumstances, to assume command
of the Combined Fleet. You will follow my orders;
I order that any commander or crew-member who
refuses to recognize my authority is to be disarmed,
and imprisoned. Those who resist will be shot
immediately.

"The target stands: we will move on the Slingshot
Terminals and take them. I order the fleet to array
itself for the assault. Unfortunately, Drummer has
sabotaged our rendezvous, and we must reconstitute
the assault formation. My chief navigator will
issue sector orientation and vectors to each ship
in the fleet so that we can form up for combat
operations. Follow his orders without question."

As Yargoul spoke Brad released the clip securing
the door and yanked it open. Adari rushed in and
darted to the communications console, drawing
a comm capsule from her tunic. She slipped the
capsule into the computer slot, slapped switches
and pressed keys. She looked at Brad. He nodded.
Adari pressed the final key. A light flashed red;
the message on the capsule went out to the fleet.

A deep voice issued from the ship's speakers:
"This is Captain Yargoul's chief navigator," it began.
"Here are the formation positions for each ship