Another minute passed, and Lucian saw that the escorts were turning from the Oceanid's path once again, their captains evidently developing some sense of self-preservation, or perhaps serious but temporary communications problems. As he had hoped it would, the Chasmatan fleet scattered, almost in slow motion, before him, each escort choosing its own heading. Lucian leant forwards in his command throne as he studied the enemy movements, judging each captain's skill from the manner in which he handled his ship. Two of the escorts came perilously dose to one another as they veered desperately to starboard, causing Lucian to bark out a harsh laugh as he judged the enemy captains' skill only slightly higher than those of a drunken ork.

At the last, the Oceanid closed in on the lead cruiser, gliding past it so close that the discharge of its manoeuvring thrusters sprayed across her bow as the other vessel sought to steer out of her path. The sight of Luneberg's flagship filled the portside viewers. She was so close that Lucian could read the vessel's name painted in fifty foot tall letters along her prow. The Borealis Defensor, Lucian read, judging the title typical of the ego of its master.

As the Oceanid completed her manoeuvre, Luneberg's fleet was scattered, its constituent vessels spread over an area of space up to twenty kilometres across, and each on an entirely different heading. It would take even a skilled admiral some time to consolidate his force, thought Lucian, and he was damn sure that Luneberg was anything other than that.

He watched on the flickering holograph as the Chasmatan fleet attempted, in vain, to knot itself into something resembling order. If only he had been travelling at a speed at which he could have unleashed a broadside. As much as he would have savoured the opportunity to damage Luneberg's flagship, that had not been the objective of his manoeuvre. Instead, he had hoped only to buy time for his son.

The enemy fleet did not redeploy in the manner he had expected it to. He had been certain it would be forced to spend some considerable time bringing its vessels around and regaining its previous formation, before powering after him towards the Rosetta, but that was not what they appeared to be doing.

Lucian watched intently as the escorts closed in once more on the two cruisers. Although ragged and ungraceful, the fleet soon regained some semblance of order, continuing on its previous course.

Lucian reached forwards and turned a dial on the plinth of the holograph, the static-filled, grainy projection above it blurring, before regaining focus, having zoomed out several dozen kilometres.

Lucian saw immediately the course on which the Chasmatan fleet was engaged. Luneberg was taking his ships against the alien vessels, which had formed up on one another and were likewise homing in on the other ships.

He could scarcely believe his luck. His enemies were going to pummel each other to the warp while he made good his escape!

The two fleets closed on one another with stately elegance, and Lucian felt tempted to pour himself a drink as Luneberg's force manoeuvred for what the Imperial Commander obviously intended to be a fearsome exchange of fire. Would the aliens really allow themselves to be drawn into such a position for a third time? Amazingly, it appeared to Lucian that the xenos vessels were indeed heading for another pasting, although he noted that this time they clustered together for mutual defence. He ran the coming action through his mind, estimating that the two cruisers of Luneberg's fleet would have the better of a broadside, if they could pull one off, although they would pay a high price as the aliens converged their fire in retaliation.

That, however, would have to wait, Lucian realised, as the servitor at the communications station had evidently been successful in opening a channel to Korvane.

'… ahead Oceanid', Korvane's voice sounded amidst a riot of static laden interference. 'This is Korvane'

'Korvane? replied Lucian, filled with a sudden relief at the sound of his son's voice. 'Korvane, what's your situation?

'Father. Korvane's voice came back, made distorted and tinny by interference on the channel. 'I am inbound to the Rosetta, e.t.a. ten minutes.

'Good to hear Korvane. replied Lucian, realising that his delaying attack against the aliens had indeed bought his son the time to make a dash for the Rosetta aboard his shuttle. 'I take it you evaded the invasion forces?

'Invasion forces? Korvane's reply came back. 'Father, I don't think you-

'That'll have to wait, Korvane. cut in Lucian. 'For now we need to concentrate on not getting involved, in finding Brielle and getting clear of this-

'No, Father. cut in Korvane, Lucian realising instantly that something must be severely amiss for his son to speak in such a manner. 'We are involved'

Despite the howling feedback and static flooding the communications channel, Lucian picked up on his son's tone instantly, and he didn't like it one bit. 'Explain. he said.

There was a moment's delay as only angry static answered Lucian, and then Korvane's voice came back. 'We are involved. The Rosetta arrived unexpectedly early at Arris Epsilon, Father, and in your absence I made contact with Imperial Commander Zachary Droon.

'And?

'And, I told him of Luneberg's treacherous actions at the talks, and Droon told me of the ongoing conflict between the two worlds.

'It's just a bush war, Korvane, nothing we need get involved with.

'Yes, Father, but he asked me for help, and he offered to pay quite a considerable-

'You've signed us over to some border princeling? Lucian felt his gorge rise, and fought to keep his temper in check despite the fact that he was quite sure he knew what his son's answer would be.

'I have pledged Droon our aid in ending the war against Luneberg.

Lucian stood, anger flaring within him. 'You may not have noticed, Korvane, but it appears that Luneberg has the same idea. Why the hell couldn't Korvane have kept out of it? he thought, trying, despite himself, not to condemn his son for his actions.

'Aye, Father, so I see, but I have negotiated a highly favourable deal, one that will recoup the losses incurred thus far. With the aid of the tau we will-

'The aliens, I take it? Lucian interrupted his son.

'Yes, the aliens. I had no choice, but the deal may recoup our losses.

Lucian knew Korvane referred to the collapsed deal with Luneberg, as if that was the fault of anyone other than the mad Imperial Commander. He sighed, knowing that his son was, if nothing else, an expert in such matters, and would have the deal sewn up so tight that he would have little choice other than to honour it. Well, he thought, looking to the holograph where he saw the two fleets about to clash, looks like we're sticking around for the fight.

'Right then. announced Lucian, decided upon his course. 'Listen, Korvane, am the Arcadius, not you, not Brielle, and not some squabbling petty noble. I say how our fortunes are made or lost. I say how we live or how we die. Do I make myself clear?

Lucian listened for Korvane's response, which came after a short delay. 'Father, I understand, but I had no-

'You will do as I say or I will denounce your claim! Lucian bellowed, determined now more than ever to rein in his son's good intentions. Good intentions never got anyone anywhere, not in the galaxy in which he lived.

'Now listen. Lucian said, feeling a measure of calm returning now that he had put Korvane in his place. 'This is how we're going to get the hell out of this mess you've negotiated us all into.

The Fairlight burst out of the Immaterium, Brielle immediately scanning the surrounding space for signs of her father or her stepbrother. She found them straight away, as she had expected to do, but she was somewhat shocked to see two entire fleets of vessels, apparently closing in on one another, as well.