The fleetwide alert played soundlessly on Dunkerque’s bridge. The information it broadcast to every ship besides DeMay’s abandoned command was already minutes old when Captain L’Orleans ships broke formation and turned away from the relatively monstrous Strike Cruiser’s hull.

But Captain Hunter’s ominous words did not go unheeded. As the condor-emblazoned pirate corsair banked away and then faded into space behind her cloak, a gloved hand clicked the alert channel controls on Dunkerque’s bridge and the screen went dark.

“You’re sure this is going to work,” a voice asked quietly.

“Not only will it work, it will grant me total control of the Gitairn Sector. I will crush the Perseus formation like a hammer against an anvil. Once I have restored power, I will return to the portal and welcome the hive into our space.”

The texture of Admiral Hughes’ voice gave his new assistant chills. She had been convinced over many weeks of the goals of their mutinous plan. She had been offered considerable power. But she still wasn’t certain she would be able to live with what her former superior officer was becoming.

“We will send our finest warriors to reclaim our weapon on Barker’s asteroid. Prepare to increase field density.”

“What is their mission then? Victory? Prisoners?”

“To consume them and learn their thoughts. First the Captain’s officers. Then Jason Hunter himself.”