Even as Ronaro adjusted the communication amplifier to direct his mental command to the scattered lifeboats behind them, a more ominous picture appeared on the screen. The bright red halo that warned of approaching atomic torpedoes blossomed forth on the image of the enemy cruiser. The single halo gradually broke into smaller red circles as the cluster spread apart in space.
They were next. Could they evade the atomic torpedoes?
"Space torpedoes coming," he reported tersely.
"Six, of course," replied the Captain.
"Right." It was the standard size cluster.
"How many lifeboats besides ourselves?"
"Five."