Paul nodded. That was no doubt exactlywhat they were doing, though he was completely at a loss as to how to explain it. Fear gnawed at his insides, like an animal trying to escape.

But he was no less determined to get his crewhis familyout of this mess.

“You and Juan keep at it, Paul said, trying his best to conceal his steadily increasing desperation. “Charliejust keep pushing those buttons.

I.K.S. MupchIch

“Control recovered, Centurion TVak said, looking intensely relieved after several siureof genuine uncertainty.

After the struggle hed just witnessed, TVoras wasnt entirely certain that the centurions renewed confidence was justified. But he was nevertheless satisfied that todays activities had garnered enough operational data to produce real, substantive refinements to the equipment. And he knew it would not do to linger here any longer than necessary, lest any transient vessel from Vulcan, Andoria, Tellar, or even Earth discover anything about the operation being conducted here todayor even begin asking questions about what a Klingon vessel might be doing so far from home.

“Is the test data safely recorded, Centurion? TVoras asked.

“It is, Commander.

“Very well, TVoras said. “Dispose of any evidence that we were ever here. Including the small distress beacon the freighter launched.

“Immediately, Commander. TVoras watched as the centurion deftly entered a series of commands into his primary board.

TVoras turned toward the young female decurion who was serving at the communications station.

“Get me Admiral Valdore on a secure frequency, he said.

E.C.S. Horizon

The deck plates shuddered even more violently than before, signaling further acceleration. The engine noise continued to increase along with it, rising to a nearly ear‑splitting roar.

“I dunno how, but were stillgathering delta vee, Charlie said. “Warp three point two and steadily climbing. Didnt think this tub could gothis fast.

“I noticed, Paul said. “Whats our heading?

Charlie turned toward the center of the bridge. The harsh, ruddy‑tinted shadows that fell across his face did nothing to soften the terror Paul saw etched across his usually placid features.

“Were locked on a ballistic course directly for Sigma Iotia! he shouted, his voice nearly drowned out by the ever‑escalating whine of the engines.

Sigma Iotia. The primary star of the world the Horizonhad just departed.

Paul Mayweather turned and saw Rianna Mayweather standing by his side. He could see from the haunted look in his mothers brown eyes that engine control was a lost cause. There was no point in asking whether a warp‑core jettison was even possible. Besides, the din of the engines had become so loud as to make conversation essentially impossible except in the form of top‑of‑the‑lungs shouts. He took both of her hands between his own as he looked at the forward viewer.

The dazzling golden‑orange brilliance of Sigma Iotia overwhelmed the screen, prompting the automatic imaging system to damp the light down to a tolerable level. Paul imagined he could already feel the searing heat of the photosphere toward which the Horizonwas falling at multiwarp speed. Time seemed to stretch, and he truly didnt want to know precisely how many seconds remained to him and his crew.

His family. Paul Mayweather gently put his arm around his mothers shoulders. She had brought him into the world. Protected him from the occasional teasing of his older brother Travis. Taught him how to fly a ship. Comforted him after Jaliye had left him for another pilot.

And now she would die beside him.

He suppressed a morbid laugh as he drew some comfort from a final absurd thought: At least I wont have to fess up to her about giving away that damned book.

NINE

Day Thirty‑one, Month of KriBrax The Hall of State, Dartha, Romulus

A DMIRAL V ALDORE FROWNED, his face creasing sharply.

“What do you mean, you believethat it was destroyed? he asked, displeasure fairly dripping from his lips as he spoke.

The holographic image of Commander TVoras didnt blink, though Nijil did note that he cast a sidelong glancepresumably at some unlucky guilty party, or his corpsebefore he answered. “It seemed prudent to destroy any elements that might relate to this attack. The log buoy was following the same general trajectory of the Coalition ship when we sent it into the sun. But unlike the ship itself, we were unable to ascertain either its destruction or its safety.

Nijil cleared his throat slightly, and glanced over at Valdore. They had worked together for so long on and off over the years that most gestures between them were unspoken, though Nijil was always aware of the need to appear appropriately obsequious before the admiral in the presence of lower‑ranking officers.

“Were the klivamsensors unable to target the buoy effectively? Nijil asked. “I was under the impression, from your reports, that their ships sensor systems were rather similar to those of our own vessels.

The holographic TVoras turned slightly to favor Nijil with his answer. “There is significant spatial debris obscuring close scans of the systems sun. Once the Coalition ship entered the photosphere, we could not easily locate a device as small as a log buoy.

Valdore put his knuckles to his forehead, clearly vexed. “So, what youre saying now is that the buoy mighthave been sent on an unknown independent trajectory, or it might possibly have dropped into the sun?

Now, TVoras looked a bit more nervous. “YesThe orders wereI was unclear on protocol, sir. In all of our previous attacks on theklivam vessels, we specifically jammed their communications and prevented them from sending out messages. It wasIt seemed prudent to do the same here. And, if I may remind you, Admiral, everyother aspect of this operation was a complete success.

Valdore leaned forward, sighing. “ Youdo not need to remind me of anything, Commander. Nor do I authorize you to punish anyof your crew for thislapse in judgment. But to be clear, Commander, we undertook all our previous attacks on klivamships for two reasons: to test the arrenhehwiuatelecapture system, and to seize some of their battle cruisers, bothfor technological study and covert sabotage.

“ Youwere engaged in both a technological test andan act of covert sabotage. The log buoy of the Coalition ship you destroyed would have furnished our adversaries with positive proofof Klingon aggression. It might even have been enough to spark a war between the Klingon Empire and this Coalition of Planets. Instead, we are left with no proof of any Klingon attack.

“But the test of our tactical system on the Coalition ship went flawlessly, Admiral,TVoras said. Nijil imagined he could see beads of sweat appear on the commanders heavily ridged brow.

“That is the reason you do not face disciplinary action, Commander, Valdore said, standing. “Yet, he added, his voice lowering to a near growl. “The next mission you undertake will answer whether or not you have a future withwell, lets just leave it at that.

As Valdore stabbed his finger down upon a button on the desk‑mounted com system, the holographic TVoras saluted nervously, but the salute wasnt even finished before the image winked out of existence.

“I dont believe that Commander TVorass error in judgment will create any lasting repercussions for your plans, sir, Nijil said, hoping to soothe Valdore, whose head was bowed and shadowed.

Valdore lifted his face, smiling. “Neither do I, Nijil. We still have other tests to conduct, and there will be more than enough time and opportunity to implicate the Klingons or, conversely, to convince the Klingons that the Coalition has destroyed one of theirships. But Commander TVoras had gotten a bit too cocky after our last several triumphs; I needed to remind him that he is fallible, and can be replaced.