A sharp rap sounded on the cabin door and a Kali slipped in. He made the casual motion that could be a salute, a greeting or a wave good-by, depending on circumstances.
"Two gliders return," he said happily. "In the bay are two first-liners, four second-liners, five frigates and some corvettes. All at anchor. Just waiting for us."
Ward nodded.
"How many corvettes?"
The Kali's face wrinkled in dismay.
"Fifty-six," he said softly.
Ward smiled to himself, and ran the Kali fleet by in his mind.
Eighteen first-liners mounting a hundred-twenty guns apiece. Eleven second-liners mounting eighty to ninety guns. Twenty-four frigates mounting fifty to sixty guns. Fifty-two corvettes mounting ten to twenty guns. A strong force, but not as strong as the Grimnal potential. Firmly, he said:
"We will run down almost to Anda Passage—then wait."
The Kali glanced at each other. Tahn coughed.