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ready to make their move just yet. “Iolyn, what is the intruder count?”
    “We are outnumbered by almost a three-to-one ratio,” Iolyn responded. “We are trapped in engineering. The apayebo Solar corrupted the computer program controlling some of the maintenance tunnel traps leading to and from the engine room. Currently, I can’t command them.”
    “So, we can’t use them to leave and take the battle to the intruders,” Wulf said. He muttered several Prime epithets under his breath. “The good news is that they can not use them to get to us, either.”
    “The self-destruct mechanism?” Maren asked.
    “It is functioning as programmed, and I can still halt it at any time,” said Wulf.
    His brothers and Maren visibly relaxed at that news. No Prime wanted to die under a Code Argenta. They were warriors and would rather die in glorious battle. But they would go up with their ship as long as it kept the pirates from stealing the Galanti and its advanced technology.
    “We need to monitor the crew in the engine room for signs of increased fear or stress as the countdown proceeds,” Wulf said in a low voice that only carried to his companions. “I expect our other traitor or traitors will attempt to halt the countdown.”
    “What I don’t understand is why any of our men would aid the pirates.” Huw frowned. “This crew is the pick of the Prime military.”
    “I suspect the pirates were hired by the pure-blood faction and that some of our crew are sympathizers who have been persuaded that joining the Alliance is not the way to proceed,” Maren offered. “Even though the treaty has been signed for months, the actual opening of a Prime embassy on foreign soil makes it more real. This is the rebels’ way of sending a message.”

    “Capturing or killing the Prime leader’s three sons and best friend would definitely be a message,” Wulf concurred. “Unfortunately for them, it didn’t work. Besides, father and the majority of the Council are committed to this course of action. This would not stop the alliance.”
    The others nodded.
    “What are we going to do now?” Iolyn asked.
    “We wait.” Wulf stared unseeing at the monitor. “The pirates can’t get away on the ship that brought them. With one precise hit, our beta-protean ray has damaged their engine’s power source and shut down their weapons systems. They’re helpless. They must take the Galanti to leave.”
    He switched the monitor’s view to the ship’s command deck, where several pirates stood arguing. “The Alliance will either arrive and help us liberate the ship and capture the pirates or we’ll blow the Galanti and anything within fifty thousand kilometers into molecule-sized pieces.”
    “How many of the boarding party did we manage to kill, Iolyn?” Huw asked, leaning over Wulf’s shoulder to get a look at the monitor. “The pirate leaders don’t look too happy with the situation.”
    Wulf laughed grimly. “No, they aren’t happy. Would you be? They now realize they can’t leave on their ship—and can’t control ours either.”
    “They lost about half their boarding team when we cut environmental to the other decks before they managed to put on breather-units, but as I said, they still outnumber us three-to-one,” Iolyn said, consulting his data pad. “They lost at least five men in the maintenance tunnel traps in an attempt to get to the engine room.” Huw grinned at his brothers. “Bet they regret ever attempting to take a Prime ship.” Loud thudding noises at the engine room doorway attracted all of their attention. The pirates gathered outside were once again attempting to break through the door shields.
    “What about the engine room’s security? Did Solar manage to sabotage it?” Maren asked, concern in his eyes.
    “No.” Wulf’s lips twisted into a smug smile. “I killed him before he got that far. The engine room shields are impenetrable.”
    The other men grunted in approval.
    “Is there any chance