Another boom rocked the boat. The raiders must have water canons, Spader realized. Only water missiles could do such serious damage.

The speakers crackled, and Spader heard a crash as something toppled to the deck.

He crawled to the instrument panel. The raiders probably figured they had taken out the pilot and navigator since the ship wasn’t moving. They didn’t know that there was one more person still in the tower—and Spader intended to keep it that way.

He pushed out of his mind the sounds of splashes and the exchange of water bullets, screams, and shouts. He had to stay focused. He didn’t know the panel well enough to work it blind from the floor, so he pulled himself up into a crouch, keeping his head low.

He peered over the board. Several skimmers and a life raft bobbed on the water, making good speed. One of the jobs of the aquaneers was to ensure the safety of the passengers. Spader figured the personnel from Crasker were in the raft, with aquaneers on the skimmers guiding them. The rest of the crew would defend the ship.

It was up to him to get them out of there.