“Escape pod drill, Lieutenant Commander! Remember your assignment?”

“Fourteen, starboard, next hatch but one.”

“Right, sir. Go on now!” The mate had a handcomp, and appeared to be logging die response to die drill.

It could not be diat The computer automatically logged crew into and out of the escape pods. Dupaynil moved quickly down the passage, hearing the thump and snarled curses of odiers on their way to die pods. He let himself into die next hatch but one, die pod he hoped was not only safely under his control, but now gave him control of the others.

On such a small ship, the drill required everyone to stay in die pods until all had reported in. Dupaynil listened to die ship’s com as die pods filled. He