in our Order of Battle. Use as your reference
Annex X-ray to the Slingshot Assault Plan. Comply
immediately upon receipt of your ship's new
coordinates. Jovian Battle Cruiser Boulder and
destroyer screen to Sector Alpha, coordinates
R784-212-426; Saturnian Battle Cruiser Encounter
and destroyer screen to Sector Gamma, coordinates
R784-856-275; Plutonian Battle Cruisers Dragon
and Tiger and screen to Sector Beta, coordinates..."

Adari grinned at Drummer who was staring at her.

"Lucked out," she said. "Yargoul brought his chief
navigator along to Brad's planning meeting off
Neptune. His voice was on our tapes, and easy to
synthesize. Even Yargoul himself won't know the
difference. The capsule is transmitting orders to
each ship of the fleet to move to new coordinates
in a three-dimensional tract. This redeployment
will get them so screwed up it'll take 'em a while
to even figure out which way is sunside."

"But how did you know events would develop just
this way?"

Adari winked; tapped her temple with her forefinger.

"Just put myself in their place, and figured the
options," she said and turned to Brad.

"Do you have all the data on where you've sent
them?" Brad asked.

Adari patted her pocket and nodded.

"Figured we'd need the information. Run a copy for
each fighter. Meet us on the flight deck."

Drummer snatched up Hyk's weapon as he followed
Adari who raced out of the bridge compartment.
Brad motioned Drummer to join Adari.

Brad followed and pulled the door closed behind
him. He drew his sidearm, narrowed the beam to its
minimum and its power to maximum. He directed the
beam into the space between the door and the frame.
Within seconds the door had fused shut. The Dragon's
bridge, at least for the moment, was isolated.

##

Hodak crouched behind a massive generator at the
bend of an L-shaped corridor. The rapid-fire beam
rifle in his hands was energized and safety off.
The passageway had a single entry to the bay in
which Scarf and his troops were quartered. Hodak
had a free field of fire. He did not expect a long
wait.

Drummer's appeal to the fleet commanders cut
into the talk and laughter rolling down the corridor.
Drummer's opening words brought complete silence.
Long before it ended Hodak heard shouts and curses
from the bay. Scarf's heavy voice rose above the
clamor, giving orders. Hodak drew breath, raised
and leveled the weapon. He hoped Scarf would come
out first; that woul