Outside, someone was pounding on the door. Dim sounds of tumult sifted through the portal.
So the guards had come already....
Struggling to his feet again, Jarl made his way to the viziscreen. He had lost all track of time. He half expected to find Ceres already blasted, broken.
It still was there. But the clustered pinpoints that were the Federation fleet had begun converging high above, readying for the final plunge.
With trembling fingers, Jarl set a cross for the lead ship; switched on the communicator unit. Harshly, in rey Gundre's name, he rasped out orders.
The wheeling ships veered; peeled off on a different course.
Ceres was saved.
Jarl sagged against the screen. He felt incredibly old, incredibly weary.
The pounding on the door grew louder.
Jarl thought: Another minute and they'll break in....