The Solaria was barely keeping up. The outbreak was much less contained there and the population was mostly civilian. Gun crews infected or not isolated themselves by living in their stations. It had taken six jumps to get where they thought the civilian convoy might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lawson was alone in the commander’s quarters looking at the impressive array of monitors. She saw departments taking readings and got real-time intelligence. This did not give her more information with which to make better decisions. It merely gave her a headache. She had too much information and needed less clutter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are green for jump seven,\u201d reported Lieutenant Garner. \u201cThe board is green. Museum reports green. Awaiting your orders, commander.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJump,\u201d she replied. It hardly seemed necessary for her to say jump every time. The flash of white light. The disorientation seemed to feel normal now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cContact!\u201d Garner was probably alone in CIC. \u201cTwo maybe three Colonial transponders. We have them sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DRADIS display in CIC chirped and the monitor dedicated to it in the commander’s quarters flashed red. Enemy contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTransmitting instructions,\u201d the XO reported. \u201cIt is going to be a big fuel burn to get them inside the overlapping flak zone we planned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForty seconds, if they comply,\u201d Garner answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They complied. It was the longest forty seconds ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cActivate triple-a\u201d Ramirez ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n