“I’ll ask you to look at the ships arrayed against you and consider what weaponry they might possess. Weaponry strong enough to crack your hulls? I know what weaponry you bring to bear, and I assure you it will not crack ours.

“Are you willing to risk the lives of thousands under your command to find out? Are you willing to risk your own life?”

The silence hung across space like a shroud.

“This is not over, Admiral Solovy.”

“That is the first true thing you’ve said today.”