The battle alert sounded on the bridge of the Phoenix. Roche entered the hive of orderly commotion that was the command center and proceeded directly up to his First Officer. "What do we have?"

"QSG tube forming 100,000 kilometers to our aft. Squadron three was on standby, and I ordered them to launch. All four banks of cannons will be charged to 100% in 30 seconds."

"Very good," Roche replied, "Have all other squads move up to standby. I don't think they're ...