Page 20 of Commander’s Mate

“They are replying.”

“Let me guess,” I said.

Navigation’s mouth tightened. “They say we are violating Ursagan commercial law.”

Degatu gave me a sideways look. “Do you want to answer that?”

I leaned toward the comm pickup. “This is Commander General Zared Maktu of Farseek. Your commercial law can rot with the auction house.”

Degatu sighed. “Concise.”

“I was rushed.”

The carrier fired.

Dreadnought One shuddered under the impact. Shield strength dropped six percent, then stabilized. The ship AI calculated return trajectories in a flicker of light. Degatu authorized one torpedo.

It struck the carrier’s forward weapons array.

The enemy ship lost its teeth in a white burst that lit the bridge display.

“Jump point in three minutes,” navigation said.

“Can we jump early?” Degatu asked.

“Within risk tolerance.”

“Do it.”

Stars stretched.

Ursaga vanished.

The bridge exhaled as one organism.

I did not. Not yet.

“Damage?” Degatu asked.

“Minimal. Shield stress. No casualties reported from combat crews.”

“Captives?”

“Medical still processing.”

I pushed away from the station. “I will check conference room three.”

Degatu turned his chair. “Will you?”

The question held more than the words.

“Yes.”

“Commander.”

I stopped.

His gaze was steady, older than mine in ways grief and command had carved into him. “She was stolen today.”