"Four phasers have only a six percent chance of a shock event," Jorel said. Fireflash Three was a G1D and Fireflash Four was a G1S. Neither had a disruptor, and each had only two phasers. To provoke a shock event, a third boat would have to fire, and that meant that one of the boats that had already been hit by the Eel would be hit a second time, probably leaving it disabled.
        "I know that," Killik said, reviewing the damage reports on the fifth and sixth boat. Five had taken more damage than Six, but both still had their disruptors and phasers. Killik also knew that the Fireflash Two had taken major damage, and its disruptor had been disabled.
        "Fireflash Two, this is Lead, on command, fire both of your phasers. Fireflash Four, this is Lead, on command, fire both of your phasers. Fireflash Three, this is Lead, on command, fire one of your phasers. Prepare for counter attack. Fireflash Two, you will probably be disabled, but not destroyed. Two, Three, Four, ready, fire!"
        The energy beams hit the Eel, causing it to writhe in agony, but it still struck back at all three boats.
        "Energy spike, but no crash," Jorel reported.
        "Fireflash Two is disabled and dropping out of formation," came the report. "Situation stable. Good hunting."
        "So be it," Killik grimaced. "What do we have left?"
        "We have two phasers and the overloaded disruptor," Khurgan said. "We need another phaser."
        "Fireflash Three, Lead, on my order, fire your remaining phaser," Killik said, confirming the order to Khurgan to fire all of the G1L's weapons. "Fire."
        The energy beams hit the Eel, causing it to writhe in agony, but it still struck back at both boats.

         "Energy spike, but no crash," Jorel reported.
        "Fireflash Three is disabled and dropping out of formation," came the voice of its Cromarg commander. "Your plan will work, Killik. I will celebrate your victory this night."
        "All boats, overload disruptors, arm phasers, maintain station with Eel."
        "We lost the disruptor," the engineer reported, "but both phasers are functional. One more strike, however, is all we can take. There will be nothing left."
        "Very well," Killik replied, doing the math in his head. Fireflash Five and Six each had all of their direct-fire weapons, but neither had enough firepower to trigger an event alone; each would need another phaser. He had two phasers, and Fireflash Four had one. He could launch two more attacks. His own boat would combine with a full volley from Fireflash Five, then the scout boat would fire its remaining phaser along with the full attack from Fireflash Six. His own boat would fire first, of course, but after these attacks, his flotilla would be totally disabled.
        "No point in dragging this out," Killik said.
        "All boats, this is Lead," Killik said. "On command, I will fire my weapons simultaneously with those of Fireflash Five. If the Eel does not die, Fireflash Four will assume command and fire its weapons simultaneously with those of Fireflash Six. After that, all boats will conduct what emergency repairs they can and resume the battle. Acknowledge." The boats all reported ready. No one had to say that before they could make any repairs at all, the colony would be destroyed and ten thousand civilians would be dead.
        "Fireflash Five, fire!" he ordered.
        He watched the screen for the results, but saw only a blinding flash and felt his boat rock hard and drop out of warp. Failed. It's all up to the last attack, he thought to himself.
        "Engineer, what's left?" Killik asked.
        "Emergency life support and not much else," came the report. "No weapons. Casualties areŠ one dead, two serious, everybody back here is hurt to one degree or another."
        "Well, the battle is over, one way or another," Killik said. "Get busy doing what you can."
        Killik took his finger off the intercom. "Goren, since you're not busy, call the other boats and get casualty reports."
        "Fireflash Lead, this is Fireflash Four," came the voice in his headphones. He knew, later, that the three heartbeats he had to wait for the next report took only two seconds, but they felt like two hours. "Victory. The Eel is dead!"
        "You killed it," Killik asked.
         "No, Sir," Four replied, "you did. It disabled your boat during its death throes."
        Death throes are not in the book about Eels, Killik thought to himself. Maybe we learned something new.
        "Nighthawk Lead Actual to Fireflash Lead Actual," came another voice in his headphones. Tollek must have let him through, Killik grunted. "Good kill, Killik! All honor to you! I shall have a case of blood wine delivered to you tomorrow!"
        "The victory was ours together," Killik said. "You wounded the beast, and I killed it."
        "A wounded beast is more dangerous than one whose carcass is unmarked by battle!" Krelt retorted. "Glory to the Empire! We have served it well!"
        Both men knew, or at least felt, that they were lying. Both men also knew that the sector commander would review the files and expect them both to behave as professional officers, even with the fire of battle running through their veins. The crews of both flotillas would want to know they did their part, and were all on the same side. In any case, the Fleet would never allow that panicky civilian government to see them squabble, at least not further.
        "Jorel, when can we expect help?" Killik asked.
        "My long-range scans are down," she said.
        "Last I could see," Majol said, "there was a police ship twenty minutes away."
        "Tollek, try to raise them," Killik said.
        "Already have," the technician said. "The police commander wants to speak with you when you have time."
        "A moment," Killik said. "Engineer, casualty report."
        "Stable," the Cromarg said, "the medic is treating the worst casualty. I must report that impulse technician Stalik suffered traumatic combat amputation of both legs. He needs to be in a hospital within the hour."

        "Tell the medic to prepare for evacuation in twenty minutes," Killik said. "Goren, what of the other boats?"
        "Six dead, two for emergency surgical evacuation, eleven more serious, no end of minor wounds. Krelt's flotilla has about the same situation, with a total of four needing emergency evacuation."
        Killik grunted. Minimal, compared to fighting a Kzinti cruiser. Half of my people would be dead by now against one of those, but an Eel is not a Kzinti, and a Kzinti is not an Eel.
        "Tollek, call the police captain, give him my compliments, and ask if he has a moment to speak with me." It took less than a minute.
        "Gunboat leader 946, this is Commander Kurlian of the Bold Dragon. I understand that battle honors are due for you!"
        "To the Empire, not to me," Killik replied. Maybe a minor victory medal, Killik allowed himself to think. Ah, but proper forms must be followed. "Lieutenant Commander Krelt played a major role, and the governor of Bristok colony stood to his post with firm resolve. At the moment, however, the priority is casualty evacuation. All twelve boats have serious casualties. I have one man who needs to be in a hospital for immediate surgery. I'm sure there are more who are wounded to the same extent."
        "We will be there in seventeen minutes," Kurlian replied. "My medical officer will be contacting you and the other flotilla in five minutes. Can you have a full evacuation list by then?"
        Killik replied in the emphatic, Klingon way.
        "It is done."