第27页

　　The  Chief  hung  on  to  the  seat  with  one  hand  and  pulled  his  harness  tight  with  the  other.  He  moved  the  scanner  display  to  the  center  viewscreen  and  saw  the  two  nearest  Covenant  cruisers  vectored  toward  his  and  the  Pelican's  position.  The  two  UNSC
　　ERIC  NYLUND 43
　　ships  might  evade  and  dodge  through  the  debris  field  for  a  few  minutes,  but  soon  their  fuel  would  be  exhausted,  and  the  Cove?nant  would  move  in  for  the  kill.
　　And  where  could  they  really  run  to,  anyway?  Neither  ship  had  Shaw-Fujikawa  Translight  Engines,  so  they  were  stuck  in  this  system  and  the  Covenant  knew  it.  They  could  afford  to  take  their  time  and  play  with  their  prey  before  they  pounced.
　　The  Chief  performed  a  sweep  scan  of  the  system  looking  for  something—anything  to  give  him  a  tactical  advantage.  No,  think?ing  of  tactics  was  going  to  get  him  killed.  There  was  no  tactical  advantage  he  could  gain  that  would  give  him  a  victory  in  this  mismatch.  He  had  to  change  the  rules—change  his  strategy.
　　He  scanned  the  massive  Covenant  flagship—that  was  the  key.  That's  how  he'd  be  able  to  turn  the  tables  on  the  enemy.
　　He  keyed  the  COM  system  and  hailed  the  Pelican.  "This  is  Master  Chief  SPARTAN-One-One-Seven.  Recognition  code  Tango  Alpha  Three  Four  Zero.  Copy."
　　"Copy,"  a  woman's  voice  answered.  "Warrant  Officer  Polaski  here."  Other  voices  argued  in  the  background.  "Damn  good  to  hear  you,  Chief."
　　"Polaski,  proceed  at  maximum  burn  to  this  position."  He  dropped  a  NAV  point  on  the  display  directly  on  the  Covenant  flagship.  He  included  an  exit  vector  indicating  a  rough  course.
　　There  was  silence  over  the  COM.
　　"Copy,  Polaski?"
　　"I  copy.  Plotting  course  now,  Chief."  The  voices  arguing  in  the  background  became  loud  and  more  strained.  "I  hope  you  know  what  you're  doing.  Polaski  out."  The  channel  snapped  off.
　　"Get  us  there,  Cortana,"  he  said,  tapping  the  NAV  point.  "As  fast  as  you  can  make  this  thing  fly."
　　The  Longsword  rolled  right  and  pitched  toward  the  moon,  Ba?sis.  The  chief's  safety  harness  groaned  as  gee  forces  increased.
　　"You  do  know  what  you're  doing?"  Cortana  asked.  "I  mean,  we're  headed  straight  toward  the  largest  and  most  dangerous  Covenant  ship  in  this  system.  I  assume  this  is  part  of  some  dar?ing  and  brutally  simplistic  plan  you've  cooked  up?"
　　"Yes,"  the  Chief  replied.
　　"Oh,  good.  Hang  on,"  Cortana  said.  The  Longsword  rolled  to  port  and  dived  under  a  rock.  An  explosion  detonated  aft  of
　　44 HALO:  FIRST  STRIKE
　　the  ship.  "Looks  like  your  'plan'  has  gotten  their  attention.  I'm  reading  all  six  Covenant  cruisers  moving  to  overtake  us  at  flank  speed."
　　"And  the  Pelican?"
　　"Still  there,"  Cortana  reported.  "Taking  heavy  fire.  But  on  tra?jectory  to  the  NAV  point.  ..  moving  slower  than  us,  of  course."
　　"Adjust  our  speed  so  we  arrive  at  the  same  time.  When  you're  in  range  for  a  secure  system  link,  let  me  know."
　　The  Longsword  decelerated;  it  shuddered  to  starboard  and  then  to  port,  and  laser  fire  flashed  along  either  side.
　　"You  never  told  me,"  Cortana  said  in  a  voice  that  was  equal  parts  irritation  and  calm  indifference,  "precisely  what  your  plan  is."