Page 45 (1/2)

“Mister Chen,” Ashford said “Get a tightbeaent matter”

“Yes, sir,” the communications officer said, and then athe connection, sir”

“Captain?” thecourse”

“Where’s she going?” Ashford deaze still locked on Bull

“Um Toward us? Sir?”

Ashford closed his eyes

“Mister Corley,” he growled “Power up the port htbeam connections to the Earth and Mars co back The sense of urgency giving way to relief and a kind of ed the bullet one reen, sir,” the weapons officer said, her voice crisp and excited as a kid at an arcade

“Lock target,” Ashford said “Do I have those tightbea, sir,” Chen said “They knoant to talk”

“That’ll do,” Ashford said, and began pacing the bridge like an old-time captain on a wooden quarterdeck His hands were clasped behind his back

“We have lock,” the weapons officer said Then, “The Rocinante’s weapons syste up”

Ashford sank into his couch His expression was sour He’d been hoping, Bull realized, that ita play to control the Ring

The man was an idiot

“Should we fire, sir?” the weapons officer asked, the strain in her voice like a dog on a leash She wanted to Badly Bull didn’t think better of her for it He glanced at Pa, but she wasat him

“Yes,” Ashford said “Go ahead Fire”

“One away, sir,” the weapons officer said

“I’ an error code,” the operations officer said “We’re getting feedback from the launcher”

Bull’s mouth tasted like a penny If Holden had put a bo

“Is the missile out?” Pa snapped “Tell me we don’t have an armed torpedo stuck in the tube”

“Yes, sir,” the weapons officer said “The missile is away We have confir evasivefire?” Ashford said

“No, sir Not yet, sir”

“I’rid, sir I think soe went dark