The bridge was shuddering constantly now, as explosions blanketed the Pegasus in a grisly light.

“They’re getting through! We have confirmed impacts on the rear starboard side!” Jane was yelling fiercely as her hands darted back and forth across her multitude of control panels. “Countermeasures are overheating!”

The Captain gripped his chair more firmly. “How much longer can we hold out?” he shouted over the cacophony.

Jane turned her head around briefly and stared at him. “I don’t know, maybe a few minutes?” she said frantically.

“Engineering, start the engines, quarter throttle towards the jump point,” Rostov ordered. “Rodriguez, I thought you said you were going to hear from your people!”

“The Zruthy must be jamming our communications,” the General’s voice replied. “I’m not getting anything from my tracer probes. I fear the worst…”

“Damn,” the Captain said to himself, then in a louder voice: “Prepare for full throttle on my mark...”

“Wait a second!” Rodriguez blurted out.

“What is it, General?”

“It’s the Pod! Captain, it’s definitely the Pod! They’re a few thousand kilometers behind us, under heavy attack… but it’s them! They’re catching up… Captain, you have to wait for them!”

The bridge shook again, and more warning lights started flashing. “Damn it, Captain!” Fischer’s voice screamed. “Do you want our engines to get blown up before we even get to the jump point? I need that missile screen!”

“Redirect countermeasures to full stern protection!” Rostov commanded. “Launch a full circular spread of flash nukes, blanketing the Pod and giving them a clear path to the ship!”

“Aye, Captain, Jane said, “I’m getting the Pod’s coordinates now. Launching full spread.”

“And for God’s sake, don’t hit them,” Rostov muttered to himself.