“Computer, this is Captain Jason Hunter. Identifier Victory Seven-Seven-One-Five. Match voice print and acknowledge.”

“Affirmative. Voice match positive. Captain Jason M. Hunter. Identifier Victory Seven-Seven-One-Five. How can Kingsblade help you today, Captain?”

“Engage directive two nine. Transfer command authorization to my designator. Request command computer access and write authority to ship’s log.”

“Unable to comply. This vessel is under the command of Vice Admiral Charles V. Hughes. Directive two nine is not authorized.”

Hunter frowned. Hughes again. Then the Captain remembered he had another card to play.

“Computer, what is the current status of Vice Admiral Hughes?”

“Missing in action.”

“Is the Admiral able to discharge the duties of his current assignment?”

“Negative.”

“In the absence of Vice Admiral Hughes, who is next in chain of command for this vessel?”

“Captain Angela Devonshire”

“What is her current assignment?”

“Executive Officer, DSS Kingsblade.”

“Very well. Computer, this is an official directive. Under regulations, section two one four, as a Skywatch Fleet Captain and Flag Officer, I am assuming command of this vessel. Transfer authorization to my designator and give me log access.”

There was a pause. Hunter could only stare at the voice interface bolted to the wall on deck sixteen. He knew there was no way he would be able to get to the bridge until he gained control of at least one of the three core systems aboard the ship. The autosystems were still treating everything other than Task Force Poseidon as an enemy, but Hunter and his team knew Hughes wouldn’t have had time to set up intruder defenses.

“Acknowledged. Fleet Captain Jason Hunter now in command of DSS Kingsblade.”

Hunter closed his eyes and exhaled heavily, supporting himself with one hand against the bulkhead.

“Computer, disengage all autosystems and stand down from combat operations. Key all security protocols to my designator and establish new command authorizations under my personal identifier or the identifiers of Commander Annora Doverly or Commander Jayce Hunter. Match key sequences and acknowledge.”

“Acknowledged, Captain. Command authorizations updated and noted in the ship’s log.”

“Very well. Authorize shipwide access for all DSS Argent personnel aboard this vessel.”

“Affirmative. Intruder protocols deactivated.”

Hunter punched the internal airlock controls and breathed another sigh of relief when the deck ports opened and released the locks on the forward doors. He raced for the bridge. There were about a thousand systems he needed to reconfigure and there was still a lethal battlegroup out there in the form of Task Force Hades. It was only a matter of time before DSS Orca came looking for some payback. With Kingsblade, Hunter would have an insurmountable advantage. Without her, engaging a fleet carrier battlegroup would be a far more unpredictable gamble than going 12 rounds with a robot battleship.