WfR16: Tides of War

"Recall all fighters and assign spots for the 'Varsis' ships wherever available - I don't care if they have to chain fighters to frigates," Commander D'Iræ said, looking out over the asteroid field, the remains of her fleet, and the similarly regrouping pirate forces two minutes away.

She considered a glory-run at them with her remaining heavy cruisers, mostly to buy a few seconds to recover crew from the stricken ships. The ships themselves needed to be hit as hard as possible, too, to make them less useful salvage for the pirates. Leaving the hulks was as good as handing them a spare battleship.

"Newsbox broadcall for 5th Group Commander, sir," a voice from the commo desks addressed her. "Captain Skorosh from the 'Bilious.'"

"Get a crystal-wave to it," she replied, and grabbed a railing spanning the 'symphony pit' occupied by the bridge crew.

'It IS a good name for the damned thing,' she thought.