“How many power-armored marines can we fit in a T-Hawk?”

Lieutenant Colonel Moody looked up at Captain Hunter as if he had just asked about putting 12 men into a field goal formation.

“Well, there’s room for a crew of five, sir, I–”

“No, no. I want to pack “em in. Shoulder to shoulder, how many can we cram in there?”

“Maybe ten or so. Why a T-Hawk? Why not a Paladin? The heavies have deployment tethers for ground troops.”

“Because I want that cruiser to think we’re coming out there to shoot at them, not board them.”

“You’re flying out there wide open? Sir, we can lash up a Nemesis and fly in cloaked!”

“I don’t want to fly in cloaked, I want to fly in there with a gun pointed at their head. I want them to be worrying about whether to shoot us with Argent backing us up with her big guns. Before we get out there XO will go weapons active. By the time they get through their fight or flight hesitation, we’ll be tapping on the window.”

“That’s an awfully big risk, Cap,” Moo replied.

“Agreed, colonel. If it pays off, we’ll have that ship intact and under our command so fast they won’t know what hit them. I’d take a bigger force if I were up against a true enemy vessel, but Dunkerque is friendly. Yili can flip a few switches and have us in control in a matter of seconds if we give her the chance.”

Doctor Doverly was busy reviving Zony. It seemed the sedatives had done their job. Despite the pouty Signals Officer’s protestations, she really had finally gotten some rest.

“Zony, how are you feeling?”

She looked groggy. “Wha– Doctor? Is everything okay?” Hunter joined Doverly next to Zony’s bed.

“You look like hell, lieutenant,” he said. Zony smiled weakly.

“Just give me a radio and a frequency, sir.”

“That’s good to hear. We’re lifting off in 15 minutes.”

“Where to, Skipper?”

“The Dunkerque is out there, and I want her captured. Even if we can’t take the Admiral into custody, she’s got technology we need to defeat that minefield. I’m taking you, the colonel and Yili with me. We’re going to commandeer that vessel and drill a hole through that minefield so the Highlander Paladins can bomb the Sentinel emplacement.”

“Are you sure we can do all that with one ship?”

“I can’t, but you and Yili can. Moo and I will be there with a marine boarding party to handle any overzealous enemy defenders.”

Hunter left the colonel and Zony to contemplate his plans and stepped into the corridor outside sickbay with Annora.

“I’m leaving you in command of the Argent, XO.”

“They’re in no better shape than you are, Jason.”

“Understood, but we may only get one shot at this. Just tell me they’re patched up enough for an hour’s worth of action.”

“If I pump them full of stimulants and pain killers, barely.”

“It’ll have to do. Maintain CSP and position until we have the Dunkerque under our flag.”

“Affirmative. We’ll mind the store.”

“Anything more from Atwell and the belligerents from Deck 34?”

“The intruders are still under from the knockout gas. Atwell has been reclining on a slab of dense plastiform in his cell since his apprehension. Hasn’t said a word.”

“He knows what we need to know,” Hunter muttered. “He’s going to tell me why Admiral Hughes is involved in all this, and he’s going to tell me what’s aboard the Dunkerque before the launch.”

“I admire your confidence, Captain, but he’s not talking.”

“He doesn’t know we’re about to take over his precious ship, Doctor,” Hunter said as he stalked towards the brig. “In fact, for all he knows, we already took it. Notify Flight Three I want two Wildcats and a T-Hawk prepped for launch, and I want ten of the nastiest from Dog Block armored, powered, locked and loaded in fifteen minutes.”

“Acknowledged.” Doverly watched as Hunter descended the ladder to Deck Eight.