"He's using high powered stuff," said Nathan. "Those screens can't take much of that."
"They weren't meant to. The Corsair's main defense is her speed. There wasn't room for heavy screens. This time our defense has to be better shooting. Watch this."
As she spoke, she caught the enemy ship dead in the sights and depressed the firing button. A cloud of bright vapor seemed to envelope the black hull. Then all was as before.
"He's got our screens beat," said Nathan. "We'll never get through them."
Firebird smiled. "That's the first time that's been said in the Corsair. I hope your pessimism doesn't jinx us."
The black ship was swinging back, maneuvering closer.
"Hang on!" Firebird exclaimed. She flung the Corsair into a tight turn and held it.
Simultaneously, she fired the four big lances in the stern and left a trail of flame balls that made it impossible for the enemy to follow in their wake. Then, forcing the ship into a close spiral, she nosed towards the black ship and fired the four forward lances together.
Nathan watched, his hands clenched to knuckle whiteness on the control panel, as the four flames combined and enveloped the enemy. This time the Black Warrior's screens flamed lividly. The big ship heeled crazily away, twisting under the forces unleashed upon it.
But the black ship was vicious in its death agonies. Nathan saw its beams lash out and yelled to Firebird, "Don't cross his stern!"