atred and grief. For perhaps a minute
he ignored his instruments, glaring instead at Dubcek's back, silently
daring him to turn around.

Suddenly a ship burst apart directly in front of them, not more than
ten kilometers off. Out of the wreckage a tiny white projectile moved
toward them, and others of similar shape were sent flying in all
directions. To his horror Brunner recognized them as men. Too light
an object to trigger their shields, the writhing body came straight at
them, seeming to gather speed, and with a final orgasm of misery,
crashed against the glass.

With a dull thud it bounced off and back into the emptiness of Space,
leaving a wide splotch of blood on the glass at their commander's feet.
If Brunner hated him then, the emotion changed when the man finally
did turn around. There were no tears, but something in his face spoke
of a much deeper wound. His voice boomed across the room.

"If there is anyone here who does not yet know what war is, look with
your eyes!" His arm jerked toward the stain. "It is blood! Blood and
men dying."

As if cued by these words a blinding flash, followed in rapid
succession by several others, lit the room. The enemy carrier, finally
scoring a direct and unshielded hit, had sent its blackened counterpart
to infinity.

Q x Q

As if regretting his outburst Dubcek stood very still, then descended
the high step and strode quickly to the command station. He took off
the headset, and gave his orders.

"Battle cruiser B: I want a full spread of anti-matter torpedoes, then
move in and finish him off. All remaining fighters back to Scypion
Base; those that can't make it, to Mongoose emergency docks. Destroyer
group A, prepare to clean up enemy stragglers."

"And the torpedo ships, Colonel?"

"Keep firing at the carrier until there is no carrier to fire AT."

"But without escort---"

Dubcek's eyes flashed. Masaryk relayed the orders.

R x Q

The battle between the two vessels must have ensued---after several
minutes the enemy carrier disappeared from the projection globe---but
Brunner saw and heard none of it. He remained silent with his head
down, palms leaning heavily on the console. Crying. The next thing he
was aware of was Dubcek's steadied voice, once more amplified, once
more, he assumed, on an open channel to all ships. He looked out of
the portal, but there was no afterglow. Nothing. Dubcek's voice.

"All ships' personnel not engaged o