Dragon and Liberator

"Another hour at the most," Neverlin said. "We've now removed all the bullets Frost fired into it." He grimaced. "As I said, he's getting more and more erratic."

"I wish you luck trying to take his guns away from him," Alison said dryly. "Fine. As soon as the transmitter is working again—"

Beside her bed, the intercom gave a ping. "Mr. Neverlin?" the Advocatus Diaboli's captain's voice came. "Bridge to Mr. Neverlin."

Alison reached over and keyed the switch. "Yes, Captain?" Neverlin called.

"We've got five ships coming off ECHO directly ahead," the captain said.

"Range?" Neverlin demanded, scrambling to his feet.

"About five thousand miles," the captain said. "Correction—there are now twenty ships. No; fifty. A hundred twenty. Good God—it's over three hundred. And they're still coming."

Neverlin looked at Alison, his eyes dark. "The K'da and Shontine," he said. "They're here."

CHAPTER 26

Frost and the Lordhighest were already on the bridge when Neverlin and Alison arrived. Frost gave the newcomers a quick and slightly curious look before returning his attention to the main status board. "What's happening?" Neverlin asked as he stepped to Frost's side.

"Nothing yet," Frost told him. "The fleet is still dribbling in off ECHO, though it finally looks like they're almost finished. Over nine hundred ships so far, including between fifty and sixty major warships in vanguard position."

"We will destroy them all," the Valahgua rumbled.

"I'm sure you will," Neverlin said briefly. "Are we moving yet?"

"Yes, sir," Frost confirmed, pointing at the display. "The Foxwolf's taken point, with us riding her aft starboard flank and Backstop forming up in rear-guard position behind us."

"What about the troop carrier?" Neverlin asked. "Never mind—I see it."

"I've got it limping along after us," Frost said. "A noble and valiant ally who's been wounded but is still trying gamely to stay with us. The Lordhighest says the K'da and Shontine are suckers for that sort of thing."

A brief smattering of alien speech came over the bridge speaker. "That's the fleet again," Frost said. "They've already called once, while you were on your way here."

"Are we going to answer?" Neverlin asked, looking at the Valahgua.

"Not we," the alien said. "The Lordover of the Foxwolf will reply for us."

The alien words came over the speaker again. This time, they were answered, by what sounded to Alison like the same language and a very similar voice. "The Foxwolf's Lordover?" she asked.

"Yes, speaking through a voice changer," the Lordhighest said. "He welcomes the fleet after their long journey and tells them he also brings a new ally."

There was another rapid-fire exchange, followed by another. "What are they saying now?" Neverlin muttered.

"The Lordover speaks of the force that attacked and nearly annihilated us," the Lordhighest said, a macabre amusement in his voice. "He warns that we may not have completely escaped them."

"Very well." Neverlin took a deep breath. "Colonel? Do it."

Frost nodded and gestured to the captain. "Order Backstop Leader to pull forward two hundred yards," he said.

"Will that be enough?" Neverlin asked. "Two hundred yards won't look like much from the Hammerfalls' distance."

"It's more than enough," Frost assured him. "Especially with the troop carrier now falling back from us. A simple ranging pulse between us, the carrier, and the Backstop ships will give them everything they need."

"Hammerfall groups on the move," the captain reported.

Another burst of alien speech came from the speaker, this time with a sense of urgency to it. "The Foxwolf

's Lordover has pretended to notice the pursuit," the Lordhighest translated. "He is calling on our friends in the refugee fleet for protection."

"Sir, the Foxwolf is increasing speed," the helmsman said.

"Match him," Frost ordered, his eyes flicking between the forward and aft tactical displays. "Signal Backstop to maintain current distance from us. We don't want the Hammerfalls closing too fast."

"Troop carrier is falling farther behind," the captain said.

"Signal them to maintain their current speed," Frost said. He turned a tight smile on Neverlin and Alison. "Our valiant ally, unable to keep up."

"Six of the refugee warships are moving forward," the captain said. "Angling outward toward the Hammerfall groups. Other warships are moving to fill the gaps."

"They want to help, but they're still not sure about us," Frost said.

"The Foxwolf's Lordover will convince them," the Lordhighest said, a repulsive anticipation bubbling beneath his voice. "Victory is ours, Neverlin."

"Let's not count our profits too soon," Neverlin warned. "Even with the Death on our side, there's still a battle to be fought before—"

He broke off as a small but brilliant flash appeared on the aft display. "What was that?" Alison asked, pointing to it.

"Some kind of explosion aboard the troop carrier," Frost said, frowning as he leaned closer to the display.