mm Center.
Acknowledge."

The reply was swift.

"UIPS Comm to Sentinel One. We read."

"Sentinel One. Flash Immediate. Must talk to Fleet
Commander. Fleet in extreme and immediate danger.
Now, partner, now."

"Selvin here."

"Sentinel One. Enemy Battle Cruiser Windstorm has
launched a K12 fusion warhead. I do not question
the warhead's vector; expect that its mass
attractors and proximity fuses are set to your
fleet's coordinates.

"I am overtaking the warhead and will try to
neutralize. Forcing a change in warhead direction
with my ship is not possible; the warhead's mass
and guidance system exceeds by far any pressure
my fighter can exert. Suggest you consider
evasive action; will advise further if neutralization
accomplished."

The warning had been given. There was no time for
talk. The warhead was less than a hundred meters
ahead, and closing.

Drummer tapped Brad on the shoulder and pointed.
Two was coming up.

Cold sweat drenched Brad's forehead and drained
into his eyes. He blinked, shook his head to clear
his vision, and increased airflow in his suit.

"Brad," Myra's voice, fast. "Can we detonate it
with our guns from here? At this extremely close
range the concentrations of laser-quads and
explosive decompress energy by both of us at
a single point might disable some part of the
warhead or set it off."

"It would take too much time to cut through. I've
got another idea. If it doesn't work, we won't have
enough time to try anything else. Hodak, take the
controls and get the ship as close to the bomb
as you can, go for less than a meter from the
warhead's surface. Hold and orbit slowly, nose
close to the warhead so that I can scope the
surface. I'll tell you when to stop. Myra, keep
close above in my line-of-sight. Hodak, strap
on your tool kit."

Hodak maneuvered the ship close and set a pattern
that covered the sphere methodically. Brad opened
the canopy, and directed the ship's beacon at the
bland, gray surface. Seconds passed; the bomb's
gray coating was unbroken. Or was it?

"Stop," Brad ordered.

He pointed to a barely visible circular crack half
a meter across.

"Myra. Get closer. Use your attractors to stabilize
and hold position. Give me a hand, Hodak."

Brad climbed over the side. The light
gravity-enhancer soles of his space boots provided
barely enough adherence to the warhead's surface.
Sliding, he made his way to the finely marked
circle, Hodak close behind.

"