Page 75 of Lhora
He whirled around. “Deppil, open communications with the Coltrosstian ships!”
“Communications open.”
Lifting his face to the overhead speaker, he yelled, “To all Coltrosstian ships! This is your Sarpen! Cease fire immediately.Cease fire!The barrage was never aimed at you, but at the Tra’Mell! Cease firing on the Beinight ships! Aim your weapons at the Tra’Mell! I am your Sarpen, Duren Sim Sarpen Sov! Fire all cannons and guns at the Tra’Mell! Eliminate your true enemy, the Tra’Mell!” He gestured for the line to be severed. When Deppil nodded to let him know it was done, he turned to Yanka. “Status!”
The radar officer was ready for him. “TheVolodetached itself from the armada and is descending after theBerna.”
Gur Fallmin was going after his daughter. Thank the goddesses.
Duren started to deride the man for not mentioning the Tra’Mell first, then remembered that they were just as invested in knowing Lhora’s current circumstances as he was. A quick glance over at where Vadris Lon manned the wheel confirmed it.
“Status on the enemy ships,” he snapped.
“All show signs of a direct hit. One man o’ war is out of commission. Two battleships have suffered extreme damage.”
Fobi called out, “They’re coming around for another strike!”
“Reload cannons and continue firing!” Duren ordered, keeping an eye on the battle from the forecastle. “Bring us about fifteen degrees starboard!”
“Coming about fifteen degrees starboard!” Lon repeated.
“What of the Coltross? Have they changed positions?”
Pullid studied the holo map in front of him. “They’re remaining in place! No advance, no retreat.”
“And they’re no longer firing,” Fobi informed them.
Duren swore, and two others echoed his sentiment.
“Guess they’ve decided not to crob on their so-called friends,” Vadris Lon said bitterly.
“At least they’re not firing on the Beinights anymore,” Yanka noted.
The sky above the bridge exploded in bright hues of red and blue. The ship tilted as it was brought around to give him a more direct view of the fight.
It was immediately clear the Tra’Mell hadn’t expected to be targeted. Duren started to redirect the other ships, when—one by one—the enemy ships blinked out of sight.
“They’ve raised their shields!”
“Enemy’s no longer on the holo!” Pullid yelled almost simultaneously.
“Hold your fire! All vessels, hold your fire!”
Climbing onto the balustrade, Duren tried to peer over the rim of the forecastle. “Ten more degrees starboard!”
“We’ve lost them, Sarpen!”
He scanned the planet’s horizon, but it was evident the Tra’Mell had completely disappeared. “Deppil, inform all ships to bring up their holos and stay on the alert.”
“Do you think they’ll reappear?” Jorm questioned.
Duren shook his head. “I don’t know. At this point, I don’t dare make any assumptions. Bring us ten more degrees starboard!”
Pullid waved for his attention. “The Beinights are retreating back to their land.”
“And our countrymen?”
“Just sitting there like they’re waiting for something to happen.”
