Filter
Top Products
44
HALO: FIRST STRIKE
the ship. "Looks like your 'plan' has gotten their attention. I'm
reading all six Covenant cruisers moving to overtake us at
flank speed."
"And the Pelican?"
"Still there," Cortana reported. "Taking heavy fire. But on tra-
jectory to the NAV point. .. moving slower than us, of course."
"Adjust our speed so we arrive at the same time. When you're
in range for a secure system link, let me know."
The Longsword decelerated; it shuddered to starboard and
then to port, and laser fire flashed along either side.
"You never told me," Cortana said in a voice that was equal parts
irritation and calm indifference, "precisely what your plan is."
"Something Captain Keyes would approve of." The Chief
summoned the navigation console on the main display. "If we
survive long enough, I want a course from here"—he tapped the
NAV point over the flagship—"into the gravity well of Basis to
slingshot us around."
"Done," Cortana replied. "I still— Hey, they've stopped firing."
The Chief tapped the aft camera. The six cruisers continued
their pursuit, but the tips of their weapons cooled as they pow-
ered down. "I was counting on this. We're on the same line of fire
as their flagship. They won't shoot."
"Pelican now twelve hundred kilometers and closing. Within
range for system link."
The Chief hailed the Pelican. "Polaski, release your controls.
We're taking over."
"Chief?"
"Establish encrypted system link. Acknowledge."
A long pause, then, "Roger."
Cortana's hologram appeared on the tiny protection pad. She
appeared to listen intently for a moment, and then declared, "Got
them."
"Synchronize our courses, Cortana. Put us right on top of the
Pelican."
"Maneuvering to intercept the Pelican. Five hundred kilome-
ters to flagship."
"Prepare to alter our course, Cortana, as we pass the flagship.
Also get ready to direct all scanners at the flagship if we pass."
'"If?" Cortana asked.