Sudden fear jabbed at his heart and throat. It was closing fast-already traveling faster than any vessel had a right to, and still accelerating. Against the chaotic backdrop of the Flow, the dark shape swelled alarmingly.

An attack run! With horrible clarity, he knew: the Spelljammer was attacking the nautiloid.

Why? He wore the ultimate helm, didn't he?

But, then, weren't there other ultimate helms in the universe, other contenders for the great ship?

What if someone else had reached the Spelljammer first, had taken control of it? And what if the new captain's first priority was to eliminate all potential rivals-among them Teldin Moore?

"Battle stations!" His scream was so loud that it tore his throat. He was unable to wrench his gaze from the onrushing world-sized vessel.

"Evasive action!" he ordered, but he knew it was already too late.