r of water had spilled across it, and the liquid
inside blurred ink and paper together into an unrecognizable wrinkle of
smeared sheaves. The man in the booth made a quizzical motion, in the
form of a question drawing his finger across his throat. But Hayes
shook him off angrily.

"All men to your posts," he barked gruffly. "Maybe now you'll see that
this is no game." He himself hastened to the uppermost bridge, furious
at this sneak attack, and even more at his own men for having allowed
it to happen.

"Damage report!" he shouted, entering the circle of men and equipment
that scrambled with sudden activity like an ant-hill beaten with a
stick. "How many ships!"

"Damage report coming," said a voice, calm and professional.

"Just the one," came another.

"It only slowed to sub-light long enough to fire the projectile, then
broke off again just as fast." This last belonged to Gen-Admiral
Frank, commander of the Fleet.

"Why didn't the robot-guns get him?"

"They weren't set for full kill intercept. With so many Alliance ships
in the vicinity, they had to analyze---"

"I hope you've corrected THAT blunder."

"Yes, General. And I've warned the Alliance pilots---"

"Tell those French faggots to stay the hell away from us." Hayes had
taken to calling the Belgians 'French', and the Swiss 'Krauts'. "If
they want to play soldier, let them do it somewhere else."

"Damage report," came the first voice.

"So what the hell are you waiting for?"

"Nothing, sir. Outer seven shield-projectors damaged but reparable.
Several of the discharging chutes and one of the lower batteries out
for twelve to twenty-four hours. No significant damage to interior
vessel or launch ships."

At this Hayes grew calmer, mastered his wrath. NO SIGNIFICAN DAMAGE.
Then perhaps it was for the best after all. . .so long as no more of
them got through. And he liked the unruffled manner of the officer who
had given him the report.

"Very well, Captain. Admiral Frank, have we got a fix on where he came
from?" The Fleet Commander was immediately aware of the change in his
superior's voice.

"Yes, General. It came from the direction of East German Cerberus.
We've trained the First and Fourth Robot Artillery toward that vector,
since it's unlikely they've had time....."

"Correct, Admiral. But see to it that the others aren't napping,
either." THE JERRIES ARE NO FOOLS, THOUGH. THEY KNOW WE'RE COMING
AFTER THEM. "Let's go