“A LOW YIELD blast,” Amye says.

“They must have cut back on power to increase range,” Australia says.

“A smerth’n warning shot,” Scott adds.

Some warning. Amye taps the power meter as it falls to the red. “It shorted out all our reserve energy. We don’t have enough to maintain life support, let alone make a jump out of the system.”

“Be thankful the living skin absorbed most of the blast, or we’d be vapor.” Scott scrambles to locate power.

“Shields are disseminating.”

“All systems negative.”

Amye slaps the comm. “Aus, report to the bridge.” She releases her shoulder harness. “The power cells you moved to the shuttle bay contain a full charge.”

“Switch over to them,” Scott orders.

“The couplings have disengaged in the blast.” Or you didn’t finish attaching them.

Australia and Chelsie both join the crew on the bridge.

“You better decide quick. The Throgen battle cruiser will have optimal target lock in three minutes,” JC reports.

“Athena, run diagnostics on failed power systems,” Amye orders.

“Complete power system diagnostics will require six hours.”

“We run a direct line of cables. No time to figure out where the power loss originates. We have all the cables from when we hardwired the hyper drive.”

“Take the controls.” Amye gives up her seat to Australia.

“I will prepare the hyperspace course,” Australia says, taking her place at command.