"That thing turns Like a brick!" the beautiful blonde said excitedly. ‘Oh, very nice Alyssa!" Calara said, catching on to what her friend had spotted.

Sparks was still mystified, and she glanced at the Latina, hoping for an explanation.

Calara looked hopeful for the first time, as she exclaimed, "Look at the fire arcs! The heavy cruiser's main guns have no rear coverage. If Alyssa can manage it, we can get behind them, and they won't be able to broadside us!"

“Damn, you girls are good!" John exclaimed. "I knew I kept you ladies around for something," he joked with them affectionately, and the girls all grinned back at him happily.

“OK, let's take a look at the tactical maps from the Griffon," he said to Calara.

The Latina brought up the System map of Chendar, which showed the Gas Mining Facility, as well as the patrol routes of the pirate ships stationed at the base.

He Looked up at the holographic map, studying the pirates thoughtfully, before he said, "If we hit their patrols first, we should be able to take them apart piecemeal. They are pirates, not Elite military crews, so if we smash them hard and fast, we should be able to wipe out most of their picket ships before the rest can react”.

“Very good, Commander!" Calara said, sounding impressed.

“Then we engage whatever's left, cleaning out the smaller ships first, and finally take on the Stalingrad."

“We could always wait, and join up with the Terran Federation patrol," Sparks suggested logically.“With another four friendly ships, surely this would be a lot easier?"

"That's true," John admitted.

“It would be much easier with Flintlock's assistance."

“We would have to wait at least another day to synchronise our attack with the other ships. They are currently repairing the Calypso, and the Invictus has been heavily modified, so we are much faster than they are," Alyssa informed them neutrally.

“However, I can get us there in another three hours," she added confidently.

“That's another day of pirate attacks on innocent people,” Calara said passionately.

John looked at each of the girls in turn, then said, “This is going to be a nasty fight, and our Lives are going to be in considerable danger I want you to tell me your honest opinion; attack, or wait?"

“We strike!" Calara said intensely. Sparks glanced at the brunette, and then back up at John, recalling their earlier conversation "Attack," she said solemnly.

Alyssa knew John's thoughts, and agreed with them wholeheartedly "It's payback time," she said in a low voice.

John nodded his agreement as he said, "Unanimous then. It's judgement day in Chendar." He then leaned forward as he outlined his plan, “Calara I think your original idea is still the best. We sneak in under cover of the asteroid belt, and perform passive scans of their ships.

We can disable anything with heavy life readings, just in case those ships are holding slaves, and we eliminate everything else."

Calara turned to look at Alyssa, and said, “If we go in with minimal power, we won't have the shields up in the asteroid field. Will you be able to navigate us through cleanly?"

“Oh please!" Alyssa said boldly, waving away Calara's concerns with a dismissive hand.