— 14 —
The minutes tick away like hours. "Contact the Brooksville, " Emerald orders when the thirty minutes are up, her voice tired.
But even as she says it the console crackles, "Brooksville to Inverness. Over."
"Inverness. Over."
"We can't find it. We just can't find it." The frustration in the captain's voice hits the command crew like a blow.
"Wish them luck, and tell them to try to catch up," Emerald orders. "We may run into delays. If she's dead in the water until 0700, she might try to limp back to the main task force. Tell her."
The communications Officer relays the message, and the fleet moves on.
You have lost 1/2 hour, and you have lost the second most powerful ship in your fleet. Cross the Brooksville off on your Ship Loss Record Sheet,
Turn to section 15.