Nightwing One raced for the safety of DSS Fury’s flight deck. Although the massive Strike Cruiser was many thousands of miles out of position by now, getting the Perseus fleet’s second-largest weapons platform back in operation was the flag’s top priority.

And that meant it was up to Commander Annora Doverly and her highly trained crew of Search and Rescue specialists.

“We are clear to navigate, ma’am.”

“Very well, steer us fifteen degrees port off Fury approach, arm two cardinal probes and stand by to engage quick quiet.”

“Affirmative. Cardinals are standing by. Course is now three four five relative Fury approach. Speed 1500 FPS.”

War raged all around the Nightwing’s flight path. The frigates Ajax and Minstrel and the destroyer Constellation were pouring beam weapons fire at the remnants of the Agamemnon task force. In the distance, more than a million miles from their position, a huge inbound fleet loomed. Their presence was a dramatic reminder of the price Argent’s relatively small battle line would pay if Nightwing One failed in its mission to get the Hunter family’s ships back in operation in time.

“All stop. Activate signal suppression protocols. Quick quiet.”

The pilot responded with the silent activation of the necessary consoles and controls. Nightwing one slowed and then stopped in space.

“Launch Cardinal One,” Doverly said as quietly as possible without making it impossible for her tactical officer to hear.

The small black probe rocketed forward from the search and rescue ship’s location, instantly assuming Nightwing One’s electronic identity, speed and course. For all intents and purposes, it was Doverly’s SAR vessel, and it was on a course close enough to Fury’s approach that it would likely confuse distant enemies long enough for the real ship to get where it needed to go.

“Bring us about, pilot. Maintain ecliptic approach. Course setting zero one five relative Fury approach. All ahead one-third.”

Again, the pilot responded without a sound. Nightwing One banked in space, turning fifteen degrees starboard off Fury’s approach. The sleek corvette rocketed forward, approaching the drifting strike cruiser on an oblique course.

“Secure from Quick Quiet.” Doverly said calmly.

“Range to Fury now nine hundred miles and closing fast,” the pilot reported.

“All stop. SSP. Quick quiet.”

Again the black SAR vessel stopped in space.

“Launch Cardinal Two.”

Another probe silently surged forward, going live with Nightwing One’s signature the moment it was launched.

“Hold your position, pilot. Stand by.” Doverly said, watching the plot intently and counting down in her mind to the optimal moment for the search and rescue team to make their move.

“Hold your position...”

The vessel waited, suspended in space, ready for anything.

“Hold...”

The pilot flexed his fingers around the maneuvering controls. He knew it was going to be close no matter how good they were at their attempts to deceive any observant enemy ships.

“Course zero by zero. All ahead full!” Doverly snapped. The pilot punched the controls and Nightwing One sprinted towards the Fury’s aft section like it had been fired out of one of Argent’s rail guns. Their destination rapidly grew in size on the screen.

“Sound collision,” Annora ordered calmly. Yellow indicator banks burned from all around the apprehensive crew. Everyone on the bridge fastened their shock harnesses. “Give me a roll thirty-one degrees starboard. Signals, get me Fury’s ILS frequency and do it quickly.”

As the suddenly enormous shape of DSS Fury filled the screen, the entire universe rotated in response to Nightwing One’s starboard roll. The cruiser’s flight bay was visible, but secured.

“Negative ILS beacon, ma’am,” the signals officer replied.

“Then we’ll have to do this the hard way. Pilot, drop your thrusters at ten thousand yards and put me right next to Fury’s ventral soft lock. Schematics are at your station.”

“Aye, ma’am. Stand by for counter-thrusters in five.. four.. three..”

A few moments later, Nightwing One made contact at Fury’s aft soft lock. Mechanical systems spun the latches secure. Moments after that, the corvette was securely bolted to the side of the drifting strike cruiser like a rescue submersible latched to a submarine.

“Secure from collision,” Annora said as she picked up the manual MC transmitter. “Medical team to soft lock. Prepare to board the Fury. Set your weapons on stun. Probes first. Look-bots second. If you find anyone who needs to be rescued, send an Angel third. I want you to stay back. Is that clear, lieutenant?”

“As a bell, ma’am,” came the reply from sickbay.

“Very well. Activate your cameras when you hit the deck. Bridge out.”

Lieutenant Owens set the Nightwing’s airlock pressure system to clear the bubble and re-pressurize the access corridor between the smaller ship and the Fury’s egress deck.

“Ten seconds.”