>>6061228“All the chains are in place and secured. I sure hope you know what you are doing, Capt'. Over.” Great, just the confidence boost you need.
“Acknowledged, Goldsmith. Over and out.” You turn to Dornholm, who has relocated from her usual station in the ship's rear. “Ready for drive synchronisation, Dornholm? I don't want to see any bits of the Invincible, or worse, the Skyline floating past these windows.” Her uniform is wrinkled and grease-stained, clearly something thrown on at the last minute. Half of the buttons on the shirt are undone, giving it the appearance of a loose-fitting blouse.
She exchanges one final glance of understanding with Moynihan. “Yes, everything's ready to go, Captain. We'll be accelerating slowly, less than a klick per sec at first. That way bolts won't go their merry ways even if things go tits up.”
Both ships accelerates in tandem at first, before your own stronger engines take over the lion's load. There is a slight, almost imperceptible, jerk as the chains draw taut, but otherwise no signs of trouble. Perhaps you have underestimated Dornholm, more capable than her young age would suggest. Everything is clear enough that you feel safe handing over command to Tim to catch a quick shut-eye. Ironic since the ship would be in better hands afterwards.
In the meantime, the Yushi is pulling farther ahead from the main formation, now poised near the edge of Molosses' gravity well. You miss his final tightbeam, “See you on the other side,” but make it to the bridge just in time for the first q-pulse transmission, “Surrounding's clear. But jump in quick. Multiple energy signatures detected closing in. One capital-class vessel.”
Moynihan dutifully relays the message to the rest of the formation while Dornholm detaches the chain in preparation for warping. No time to spread out, Ienaga needs you now.
<span class="mu-s">Tim shouts, pointing to one of the video feeds, “What the fuck are the Scar and Razor doing?” They are making a 180 degree turn. You grab the voicepiece and starts blasting on all channels at Liu's ships. You sure as hell won't let them bail on you now.</span>
>Threaten to expose her smuggling operations. She won't live much longer than you if she runs.>Appeal to her lust for battle. The upcoming fight will be better than sex, even, though you can only guess.>Promise her a special ‘favour’ if she sees this through. What that is exactly, you can work out later.>Order Elysium to give her a half-salvo. Nothing helps discipline more than getting shot at.>Ask Jean-Pierre for assistance. He knows what to do in these situations (delays jump)>Write-in 