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appear.”
    We can hold our own for now, Byron thought.
    A flash of light in the distance caught Athee’s attention. Two squadrons were engaging the enemy, and judging from the color of the explosion, a Vindicarn ship had just met its demise. Sensing no concern from Byron, her gaze returned to her computer screen.
    No further ships vanished from view. Her mate’s impatience grew, though. Byron never enjoyed playing the spectator and Athee didn’t blame him. Commander or not, he was still a fighter pilot at heart.
    Avoid those disrupters! he thought, his warning loud in Athee’s head.
    News that one of their fighters was out of commission due to wing damage blasted from the com unit. Athee barely had time to process the information as an announcement of a disrupter blast taking out a navigator followed on its heels. Byron’s fury sent pinpricks across her scalp.
    We’re engaging, he thought, powering the ship forward.
    Adjusting her screen with haste, Athee assessed the situation. She had just enough time to relay the information to her pilot before they were on the tail of an enemy ship. Athee announced their intentions to the nearest Cosbolt teams.
    Scanning the area, Athee concentrated on her duties, allowing Byron to do what he did best. Warning him of a Cassan fighter below them, she felt their ship adjust position. Banking to the left, their Cosbolt dove. Athee kept her eyes on the target, her mind locked with her mate’s so he would see what she saw. They came up under the Vindicarn ship at full speed. Byron fired once and the spider-like vessel exploded.
    Attack from below , Byron thought, his command broadcasting to every pilot.
    Their ship shot over the debris, the residue spreading into a fine dust. Athee did not bother to look out at the remains of the enemy vessel.
    Next target.
    Noting an enemy ship in pursuit of a Cosbolt to their left, Athee selected that skirmish as the most pressing. Before she could relay the plan to her pilot, Byron altered course. They could not catch the pair at their present speed though. She suggested jumping below and matching their speed.
    Below and head on , he thought. Double jump.
    Relaying their intentions even as she visualized the coordinates, Athee clutched the throttle. Recalling only Byron controlled the craft, she eased her hold.
    Old habits die hard, she thought.
    Locking with his mind, she joined Byron in performing the teleportation jump. The Vindicarn ship appeared overhead and Byron fired once. Latching onto new coordinates as the enemy ship exploded, Athee led them in the jump to safety.
    Looking out the canopy, she relaxed her death grip on the throttle. Rapid, successive jumps relied heavy on her ability to navigate. While she never doubted her abilities, Athee always experienced pressure.
    Update!
    Athee made a quick assessment of remaining enemy ships. Seven targets eliminated , she thought, zeroing in on the closest Vindicarn fighter.
    Without a moment’s hesitation, Byron pursued the vessel. Athee calculated the best approach and their Cosbolt dove to the right. The ship moved into position for an underside attack. Athee held her breath as he fired. In a flash, the Vindicarn fighter vanished.
    Athee realized all enemy ships had disappeared. They’ve retreated , she thought, switching her screen to view the main battle. Almost on cue, five ships appeared near the large Vindicarn vessel.
    Squadrons assume formation! Byron thought. Full damage report.
    Gritting her teeth, Athee tried to concentrate on the distant battle. The responses from the six squadron leaders were silenced, but she couldn’t block Byron’s voice. Biting her lip, she listened to her mate’s replies. Athee lowered her head and sighed when she heard no mention of casualties. Three damaged Cosbolts and one team out of commission due to a disrupter blast didn’t sit well with Byron, though.
    Every squadron will undergo extra Vindicarn combat simulation this week , he thought, his mental