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“Shields down,” another voice said. “Breaking off.”

“Stay with your wingmates,” Gauntlet One shouted. “Keep your lasers quadded up on rapid cycle.”

“Compensator is in failure. Aborting attack run.”

“Watch your tail, Gauntlet Eight!”

“Captain, energy massing in the Yuuzhan Vong vessel.”

Graff swiveled to his XO. “Instruct Gauntlet to abort.”

“Enemy vessel is firing.”

On the main screen, real-time holo showed three starfighters vanish in fleeting explosions. A sense of urgency punctuated Gauntlet One’s words over the net.

“We’re taking casualties—Two, Four, and Five. Still can’t get a fix on dovin basal or weapons emplacements.”

“What’s he talking about?” Graff asked brusquely.

The Twi’lek enlisted-rating flipped his head-tails over his shoulders and studied console displays. “Battle analysis computer is working on it, sir. Enemy weapons and singularity projectors appear to be mobile. Sir, it’s like the entire hull is capable of delivering fire and creating gravitic anomalies.”

“Captain, module has drawn another bead on us.”

No sooner had the words left the comm officer’s mouth than the cruiser was jarred by a powerful strike. Bridge illumination diminished, then brightened, and blue electricity danced over one of the consoles. Vibrated free of its magnetic hold on the bulkhead, the R-series droid tipped forward to the deck. Fans clicked on, exhausting smoke from the area.

“Damage assessment coming in from forward technical station. Number-two power generator is down. Deflector shields are marginal.”

“Order Gauntlet to regroup and pull back,” Graff said quickly. “Alert crash and recovery crews to make ready. Fire control: stand by to coordinate forward turbolasers and ion cannons. I want a sustained burst to rake that ship pole to pole.” A glance at the display screen showed him what remained of Gauntlet squadron fleeing for their lives. “Fire!”

Once more, energy streaked from the ship, but no telltale flashes followed.

Graff studied the display screen. “Did we miss?” he asked in disbelief.

“Negative, sir. Enemy vessel appears to have absorbed the energy.”

“All guns,” Graff said. “Fire!”

Light painted local space with such intensity that everyone on the bridge had to turn from the viewports. It was as if the Soothfast had been clipped on the jaw by a heavy fist and was seeing stars.

“Enemy ship is altering course, taking evasive action.”

“All guns, fire!” Graff barked.

“Multiple direct hits. Evidence of debris. Enemy is altering course again, speed is diminishing.”

Graff twisted to the navigator. “Maintain pursuit. Stay on it!”

Then, without warning, an enormous explosion erupted in the distance, saturating the display screens with white light. When Graff could, he stared out the viewport, but could see no sign of the Yuuzhan Vong ship.

“Where did it go? Did it jump?”

“Negative, sir,” the enlisted-rating told him. “Debris is consistent with an all-out kill.”

A spontaneous cheer rose from the bridge crew.

“Quiet!” Graff shouted. “Did we just get lucky, or did we discover a weak spot?”

“Unknown, sir, but the vessel is completely destroyed. We must have overwhelmed it. The ship that generated the module is bearing away from Durren Orbital Station, all speed.”

Graff removed his hat and scratched his head. “I don’t get it.”

“Captain, Gauntlet leader reports that the destroyed vessel jettisoned an escape pod. The pod should come into visual range any moment.”

Graff turned to the display screen. “Full magnification.”

The navigator pointed to a fast-moving glimmer of light. “There it is, sir.”

Graff saw what looked like a cylindrical asteroid, far from home, a small portion of its aft surface faceted. “What’s its course?”

“Bearing for Exodo II.”

“Wouldn’t be my first choice,” Graff remarked.

“Present heading will bring it just in range of number-two tractor beam.”

Graff glanced at his XO.

“Could be a trap, sir. Some kind of sleeper bomb.”

Graff nodded grimly. “Engage the tractor beam, but only to hold that thing at bay. Commander, alert Gauntlet. Tell them to scan