He shook his head groggily and looked around. Captain Dobrin was slumped against a corner of the wall. The FCO was sprawled across the side of his control board. The various observers were tumbled around the room like so many rag dolls shaken up in a shoe box.
Gradually, the gravity righted itself, and Roysland rolled to the floor. He pulled himself up by one arm and ran toward the control panel. He had barely time to act.
Fortunately, most of the observers were reasonably aware of their surroundings. Those who could move were back at their control boards by the time Roysland reached the fire control board.
A second blast hit the ship, but Roysland was prepared for it this time; his fingers gripped the hand-holds and strained as the gravity shifted beneath his feet.
The X-69 couldn't stand another one like that. The Enlissa ship had computed better than they had thought.
"aJ projectors!" Roysland shouted. "Prepare to track and fire!"
The only way to save the ship now was to shoot down every torpedo before it hit.
"All guns tracking, sir," said one of the observers.
"Set and ready!" Roysland said. "Fire automatically!" He punched a button.