Vicky’s ships continued to decelerate toward Brunswick . . . they could hardly do otherwise. The freighters bore away to starboard, opening the distance between them and the battle line to a good thirty thousand klicks. Captain Bolesław brought the Wittenberg forward to the head of the line but kept the Slinger and Augsburg trailing the huge battleship.“If I’m reading the Count dude, he’ll order everyone to concentrate on the Retribution. Engle might even suggest it though I doubt that stupid crow would listen to anyone.”“Why?” Vicky asked. “Won’t that give our other ships free shots at theirs?”“Yes. Admiral Krätz taught you well. Still, we are the biggest target. Take us out, and the rest are easy pickings. Then, there is you. Kill you, and they win all the chips.”Vicky swallowed hard. Assassination attempts were quick and over before you knew it. Most of them. It looked like she’d spend the next few hours waiting to die.She glanced around the bridge. A lot of good people would be waiting with her.Captain Bolesław went on.