Bosman Jan Król adjusted the diagnostic probe's settings, watching the holographic readout flicker above the main engineering console. B?yskawica's fusion drive hummed through the deck plates - not the clean, efficient purr he preferred, but a grumbling protest that spoke of age and hard use.

  "Come on, old girl. Talk to me." He tapped commands into the console, frowning at the power fluctuations in the tertiary cooling system.

  "Still sweet-talking the engines, Bosman?"

  He turned to find Ensign Maria Roszak leaning against the engineering bay's entrance, her dark hair pulled back in a regulation bun, but her eyes sparkling with that familiar mix of curiosity and mischief.

  "Someone has to, Ensign. These old drives need a gentle touch." He gestured at the readouts. "Like an old married couple - you have to learn their quirks."

  Maria crossed to his station, studying the diagnostic patterns. "Those power spikes in the cooling system look worse than last week."

  "Good eye." Król nodded with approval. Most junior officers couldn't read drive diagnostics that quickly. "The synchronization's off by point-zero-three percent. Within specs, but not where I'd like it."

  "What if we adjusted the coolant flow rate?" Maria pointed to a particular section of the readout. "A minor increase here could smooth out those oscillations."

  Król raised an eyebrow. "Most officers would just say it's within tolerance and leave it be."

  "Most officers didn't spend their Academy years rebuilding surplus fusion drives." Maria grinned. "My father ran a salvage yard on Polonia Prime. I learned early that 'good enough' usually isn't."

  "No wonder you ended up on my engineering deck so often." Król input the suggested adjustments, watching the power curves smooth out slightly. "Not bad, Ensign. Not bad at all."

  "I had a good teacher." She glanced at the chronometer. "Bridge watch in ten minutes. Try not to break anything while I'm gone."

  "Me? Break things?" Król affected an innocent expression. "I'm hurt by the suggestion. Now go on, before the Captain thinks I'm corrupting his favorite ensign with engineering heresy."

  Maria laughed and headed for the bridge. Król watched her go, remembering the eager cadet who'd spent countless off-duty hours pestering him with questions about drive mechanics and power systems. She'd come a long way since then.

  He turned back to his diagnostics, but movement caught his eye as tech specialist Maliniak hurried in with a data pad.

  "Latest patrol route, Bosman. Standard sweep of the outer system, watching for Caliphate activity."

  Król accepted the pad, scanning the flight plan. Another milk run - two weeks of watching empty space while monitoring drive efficiency. He'd done this route so many times he could probably plot it in his sleep.

  "Thank you, Maliniak. Tell Engineering Control to prepare for a full drive diagnostic sequence. If we're going to be out there for two weeks, I want these power fluctuations sorted."

  The next few hours fell into familiar routine. Król moved through engineering, checking systems and directing his team through the diagnostic procedures. B?yskawica might be showing her age, but she was still one of the most reliable ships in the Polonia Prime fleet - largely due to his obsessive attention to maintenance.

  He was deep in the drive chamber's access tunnel, manually checking power coupling alignments, when the ship's subtle vibration changed pitch. They'd transitioned to full cruise power - right on schedule.

  Król emerged from the tunnel, wiping grease from his hands. The main engineering display showed their course - a long elliptical orbit that would take them through the system's outer reaches. Standard patrol pattern, designed to show the flag and remind any watching eyes that Polonia Prime protected its territory.

  "Power coupling alignment is off by point-zero-two degrees," he announced to his waiting technicians. "Let's get that corrected before-"

  The ship's acceleration shifted again, accompanied by a slight power surge through the drive systems. Król frowned at his displays. That wasn't part of the standard patrol pattern.

  "Engineering, Bridge." Maria's voice came through the comm. "We're adjusting course for a detailed scan of the L5 point. Captain spotted some unusual debris patterns."

  "Acknowledged, Bridge." Król studied the power curves. "Drive's handling the course change, but watch that port acceleration vector. We're getting some minor fluctuations."

  "Copy that, Bosman. I'll keep an eye on it."

  Król smiled slightly. Most bridge officers would have simply acknowledged and ignored his warning. But Maria had spent enough time in engineering to know that even minor fluctuations could hint at bigger problems.

  He turned back to his team. "Alright, people. Let's get these alignments sorted while we have the chance. Something tells me this patrol might not stay routine for long."

  The next hour passed in careful adjustments and cross-checks. Król had just finished signing off on the final alignment when he noticed a subtle change in the drive's harmonic pattern. He checked his displays - they were decelerating slightly, probably for a closer look at whatever debris had caught the Captain's attention.

  B?yskawica might be past her prime, but she was still a solid ship with a good crew. Król had served on newer vessels with fancier technology, but none had quite matched the comfortable familiarity of this engine room. He knew every quirk, every subtle vibration that might hint at trouble.

  And right now, those subtle cues were telling him that their routine patrol might be about to become considerably less routine.

  ***

  The fluctuations in the drive harmonics grew more pronounced as B?yskawica slowed to investigate the debris field. Król monitored the power distribution grid, making minor adjustments to compensate for the changing thrust vectors.

  "Engineering, Bridge." Maria's voice carried an edge of tension. "We're picking up a distress beacon. Preparing for possible rescue operations."

  "Copy that." Król switched to the emergency protocols display. "Standing by for maneuvering power."

  The deck vibration changed as B?yskawica altered course. Król kept one eye on the drive readouts while directing his engineering team to prepare for emergency operations. The fusion reactor hummed steadily, its output holding stable at eighty-seven percent.

  "All hands, this is the Captain." Nowak's calm voice filled the engineering spaces. "We've detected a civilian shuttle in distress. Prepare for rescue operations."

  Król accessed the sensor feeds, studying the data streaming in from the forward arrays. The shuttle's power signature looked wrong - too weak for a vessel that size. Either their reactor was failing, or...

  His suspicions crystallized as new sensor contacts appeared at the edge of their range. The drive harmonics from the approaching vessel carried the distinctive signature of a Caliphate Hunter-class destroyer.

  "Engineering, Bridge. We have company." Maria's voice remained steady, but Król heard the underlying tension. "Caliphate warship on an intercept course."

  "Understood." Król's fingers moved across his console, routing additional power to the weapons grid. "Drive's ready for combat maneuvering. Watch that port vector compensator - it's still showing minor variance."

  The engineering crew moved with practiced efficiency, securing loose equipment and switching to battle stations. Król had drilled them relentlessly for situations like this, though he'd hoped they wouldn't need those skills so soon.

  "Incoming transmission from the Caliphate vessel," Nowak announced. "Stand by."

  Król kept his attention on the drive systems while listening to the exchange. The Caliphate commander's voice filled the ship, speaking careful English with the characteristic accent of their outer colonies.

  "Polonia Prime vessel, this is the Sword of Faith. The shuttle you approach contains fugitives from Caliphate justice. Stand down and withdraw."

  "Sword of Faith, this is Captain Nowak of the B?yskawica. We are responding to a distress call in Polonia Prime territory. The shuttle and its occupants are under our protection."

  "The criminals aboard that vessel stole classified technical data. This is an internal Caliphate matter."

  Król checked the shuttle's power readings again. The signature matched civilian patterns - no military-grade systems or weapons. Either the Caliphate commander was lying, or their definition of "criminal" needed examination.

  "Engineering, what's our status?" Maria's quiet query came through his private channel.

  "Drive's holding steady. We can outrun them if we need to, but it'll strain the port compensator." Król studied the readouts. "Better to face them here than risk a mechanical failure during pursuit."

  "Agreed. Stand by."

  The tension stretched as Nowak and the Caliphate commander exchanged increasingly pointed diplomatic phrases. Król used the time to fine-tune the power distribution, squeezing every bit of efficiency from the aging systems.

  Warning indicators flashed as the Caliphate destroyer powered up its weapons. Król diverted additional energy to the defensive systems, knowing their best protection would be maneuverability. B?yskawica might lack the raw power of the newer vessel, but they had the advantage of position - and a crew that knew their jobs.

  "The shuttle is broadcasting identity codes," Maria reported. "They're carrying religious refugees. Three families, including children."

  That explained the Caliphate's aggressive pursuit. Their leadership took a dim view of citizens abandoning the state religion. Król had seen the results of their "internal matters" before, during his time on merchant vessels.

  "Engineering, prepare for emergency maneuvering," Nowak ordered. "We're moving to shield the shuttle."

  "Aye, Captain." Król adjusted the drive settings, watching power levels climb. "Ready on your mark."

  The Caliphate commander's next transmission carried an edge of barely contained fury. "This is your final warning. Withdraw or face the consequences of interfering in Caliphate security operations."

  "This is Polonia Prime space," Nowak replied firmly. "The shuttle and its occupants are under our protection. Any hostile action will be met with appropriate force."

  Król monitored the drive harmonics as B?yskawica moved between the shuttle and the Caliphate vessel. The port compensator's variance increased slightly, but held within acceptable limits. He dispatched a damage control team to stand by, just in case.

  "Their weapons are locked on us," Maria reported. "Reading multiple missile tubes active."

  "Engineering, status of the shuttle?" Nowak asked.

  Król studied the sensor data. "Their drive's operating at minimal power - looks like battle damage to their reactor shielding.

  "Understood." Nowak's voice hardened. "Sword of Faith, be advised that any weapons fire will be considered an act of war against Polonia Prime. Stand down your weapons and withdraw."

  The Caliphate commander's response crackled with static. "You protect heretics and thieves. The consequences are on your head."

  Król watched the tactical display as the Caliphate destroyer maneuvered for a better firing position. Their drive signature showed full military power - no pretense of peaceful intentions now.

  "Engineering, Bridge. How long until we can reach maximum acceleration?" Maria's question carried layers of meaning.

  "We can hit redline with the shuttle in tow," Król replied. "But not with this compensator variance. Need ten minutes to lock it down."

  "Understood. Stand by."

  The next few minutes passed in tense silence as both ships maneuvered. Król kept his attention divided between the drive readouts and the tactical display, watching for any sign the Caliphate vessel would cross the line from threat to action.

  A warning tone sounded as the Sword of Faith launched a spread of missiles. Not aimed to hit - yet - but close enough to demonstrate their capabilities. Król felt the deck vibration change as B?yskawica responded with defensive maneuvers.

  "Their missiles are armed with live warheads," Maria reported. "This isn't a bluff."

  "Engineering, status of that compensator?" Nowak asked.

  "Five more minutes, Captain." Król directed additional power to the stabilization systems. "Can't rush it without risking a cascade failure."

  The Caliphate commander's next transmission held no diplomatic pretense. "This is your last chance. Withdraw or be destroyed. We will not allow these criminals to escape justice."

  Król watched the tactical display as more missile tubes opened on the Caliphate destroyer. The Sword of Faith carried twice their weapon load - a fact their commander clearly wanted visible.

  "Stand by all stations," Nowak ordered. "Engineering, give me everything you can."

  Król's fingers flew across his console, pushing the aging systems to their limits. The port compensator's variance increased, but held just within tolerance. They'd have one chance to get this right.

  The familiar thrum of B?yskawica's engines filled engineering as both ships maintained their standoff, waiting to see who would make the first move.

  ***

  Król watched the tactical plot with growing concern. The Caliphate destroyer's energy signature climbed steadily - a clear sign they were charging weapons capacitors to full military power. No more pretense of this being a simple customs inspection.

  "Engineering, status of the civilian shuttle?" Captain Nowak's voice carried the steady calm that had seen them through previous crises.

  "Their reactor's barely holding together, Captain." Król studied the readouts. "Signs of multiple hull breaches. They've got maybe two hours of life support remaining."

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  The comm crackled with the Caliphate commander's transmission. "Polonia Prime vessel, you have thirty seconds to withdraw. After that, we will open fire. The punishment of heretics is an internal matter."

  Król diverted additional power to the weapons grid, using Maria's modified routing scheme. The targeting computers responded with improved efficiency, though the strain showed in the backup circuit readings.

  "All hands, battle stations." Nowak's order echoed through the ship. "Engineering, prepare for combat maneuvers."

  "Aye, Captain." Król dispatched his damage control teams to critical positions. The port compensator's variance had steadied, but pushing it too hard could still trigger a cascade failure.

  "Their missile tubes are hot," Maria reported from her station. "Multiple targeting locks."

  The Caliphate commander's next transmission held no trace of diplomatic restraint. "You shelter criminals against the will of God. Their blood and yours will answer for this defiance."

  "This is Captain Nowak of the Polonia Prime destroyer B?yskawica." The captain's voice remained steady. "These refugees have requested asylum in neutral space. We will protect them with all necessary force. The choice to escalate is yours."

  Król monitored the drive harmonics as B?yskawica maintained position between the shuttle and the Caliphate vessel. The engineering crew worked with practiced efficiency, managing power distribution and running damage control checks.

  "Multiple missile launches!" Maria's warning coincided with the tactical alert.

  "Defensive pattern theta," Nowak ordered. "Engineering, emergency power to point defense."

  Król's hands flew across his console, redirecting power flows. The fusion reactor's output peaked as energy surged through the weapons grid. Warning indicators flashed as the strain registered in multiple systems.

  B?yskawica shuddered as her point defense guns opened up. Król watched the tactical display as streams of railgun fire intercepted incoming missiles. Their modified targeting systems proved their worth - the first wave of missiles detonated well clear of the hull.

  "Second wave incoming," Maria reported. "They're using a scatter pattern."

  The deck vibrated as B?yskawica executed evasive maneuvers. Król kept one eye on the compensator readings while managing power distribution. The aging systems protested but held together.

  "Target their missile batteries," Nowak barked. "Full spread."

  B?yskawica's main guns thundered. Through his engineering console, Król tracked the power drain as each round accelerated through the electromagnetic rails.

  "Direct hit on their primary missile battery," Maria announced. "Their port launcher is disabled."

  The Caliphate destroyer responded with a barrage of railgun fire. Impacts rang through the hull as rounds found their mark. Damage reports scrolled across Król's display.

  "Hull breach, frame thirty-seven," he reported, dispatching repair teams. "Backup power coupling's failing in the forward section."

  "Engineering, status of the civilian shuttle?" Nowak asked.

  Król checked the readings. "Still intact, Captain. Their drive signature's steady, but weak. They won't survive another direct hit."

  The tactical plot showed the Caliphate destroyer maneuvering for a better firing position. Their energy readings spiked as they charged weapons for another salvo.

  "Rerouting power through secondary grid," Król announced. "Watch that variance on the starboard capacitors."

  His engineering crew responded with practiced efficiency, managing the complex dance of power distribution. The modified routing system continued to perform beyond specifications, though the strain showed in the increasing number of warning indicators.

  Another impact rattled the deck plates. Król steadied himself against his console as damage reports flooded in.

  "Lost the primary coupling in section four," he reported. "Switching to backups. Repair teams responding."

  "Their destroyer's launching another missile spread," Maria warned. "Different signature - these are heavy warheads."

  Król diverted additional power to the point defense grid, pushing the aging systems to their limits. The port compensator's variance increased dangerously, but they had no choice.

  "Multiple hits!" The damage control board lit up with new alerts. "Hull breach in engineering section three. Emergency containment holding."

  Through the chaos of battle, Król maintained his focus on power management. Each system demanded attention - weapons, drives, life support - all drawing heavily on their stretched resources.

  "Status of the civilian shuttle?" Nowak's question cut through the noise of combat.

  Król checked the readings. "Still under power, Captain. Their life support's failing but they're maintaining position behind us."

  The tactical display showed the Caliphate destroyer closing distance, pressing their advantage in firepower. Their next salvo struck B?yskawica's port side, overwhelming local armor.

  "Primary power coupling failed in section six," Król reported, hands flying over his console. "Switching to emergency backup. Drive efficiency down to seventy percent."

  "Engineering, can we maintain this position?" Nowak asked.

  Król studied the rapidly changing readouts. "Aye, Captain. She's hurting but holding together. That modified targeting system's keeping us in the fight."

  The battle continued as both ships maneuvered in the deadly dance of space combat. B?yskawica's older systems showed their limitations, but the crew's experience and innovations helped balance the odds.

  "Their destroyer's rotating to bring fresh missile tubes to bear," Maria reported. "Energy spike in their weapons grid."

  Król watched his displays as another wave of missiles approached. The point defense guns responded automatically, their targeting enhanced by Maria's power modifications. Most of the incoming ordnance died in space, but two missiles broke through.

  The impacts sent shockwaves through the hull. Król grabbed his console as the deck lurched beneath him. Warning indicators flashed across his screens as systems registered damage.

  "Lost primary power to the forward weapons grid," he reported, already implementing workarounds. "Rerouting through auxiliary systems. Drive efficiency holding at sixty-five percent."

  Through it all, they maintained position between the civilian shuttle and the Caliphate destroyer. Each hit they took was one that didn't reach the refugees - a fact that helped steady Król's hands as he worked to keep their aging systems functioning.

  The tactical plot showed the Caliphate destroyer moving to press their advantage, their superior firepower evident in the constant barrage of missiles and railgun fire. But B?yskawica's crew refused to yield, matching the enemy's aggression with skill and determination.

  ***

  Król watched another bank of warning indicators flash red across his engineering console. The fusion reactor strained against its containment field, pushed far beyond normal operational parameters. His fingers danced - no, moved precisely across the controls, adjusting power flow through the failing grid.

  "Primary coupling in section eight just went dark," Lieutenant Chen reported from the auxiliary station. "Switching to backup."

  "Belay that." Król kept his voice steady despite the chaos. "Route through tertiary systems. We need those backups for weapons."

  The B?yskawica shuddered as another railgun round found its mark. Impact alerts joined the cascade of warnings demanding his attention. The Caliphate destroyer pressed its attack, sensing their vulnerability.

  "Hull breach, frame forty-two," Chen called out. "Emergency containment responding."

  Król divided his attention between damage control and power management. The reactor temperature climbed steadily despite his best efforts to maintain equilibrium. They couldn't sustain this level of output much longer.

  "Engineering, status report." Captain Nowak's voice cut through the din of battle stations.

  "Running hot, Captain." Król studied the fluctuating readouts. "Reactor's at hundred and fifteen percent. Any higher and we risk containment failure."

  A new impact rattled the deck plates. Król grabbed his console to stay upright as fresh damage reports scrolled across his screen. The civilian shuttle's power signature flickered behind them - their life support systems deteriorating by the minute.

  "Bosman." Maria's voice carried an urgency that made him look up from his station. "I need to show you something."

  She transferred a simulation to his console. Król's eyes widened as he reviewed the data. The tactical proposal was either brilliant or suicidal - possibly both.

  "You want to redirect power from the containment field stabilizers?" He shook his head. "That's not just pushing the safety limits, that's dismantling them entirely."

  "Look at the numbers." Maria highlighted specific calculations. "If we pulse the power through the weapons grid in synchronized bursts, we can maintain minimum containment while doubling our effective firing rate."

  Another hit rocked the ship. The reactor temperature spiked dangerously before Król's adjustments brought it back under control.

  "Lost primary power to forward sections," Chen reported. "Switching to emergency protocols."

  Król studied Maria's calculations while managing the failing systems. The math was sound, but the risks... He'd seen reactor containment failures during the last war. The memories still haunted him.

  "Even if this works, we'd have less than two minutes before catastrophic failure." He pointed to a critical variable in her equations. "And if our timing is off by even half a second..."

  "I know." Maria met his gaze. "But that civilian shuttle won't last another five minutes. We need to end this now."

  The tactical display showed the Caliphate destroyer maneuvering for another attack run. Their weapons capacitors charged, preparing to deliver what could be a killing blow to either B?yskawica or the refugee vessel.

  "Captain," Król keyed the comm. "Engineering. Ensign Roszak has a tactical proposal. It's... unconventional."

  He transferred the data to the bridge while continuing to manage the overloaded systems. The reactor temperature climbed another two degrees. Warning indicators multiplied across his console.

  "How certain are these calculations?" Nowak asked after reviewing the proposal.

  "The math is solid," Król replied, his fingers moving across the controls to compensate for another power surge. "But we'd be operating without safety margins. Any deviation could trigger a cascade failure."

  The ship shuddered as more railgun rounds found their mark. Damage control reported multiple hull breaches. The civilian shuttle's life support readings continued to deteriorate.

  "Your recommendation, Bosman?"

  Król paused, watching the reactor readings fluctuate dangerously close to redline. Twenty years of engineering experience screamed against Maria's proposal. But those same years had taught him when to trust innovative solutions.

  "It's our best chance, Captain." He took a deep breath. "But we'll need perfect timing between engineering and weapons."

  "Proceed," Nowak ordered. "Coordinate with tactical."

  Król began implementing the necessary modifications, redirecting power flows and reconfiguring safety protocols. Each adjustment brought them closer to potential disaster.

  "Routing weapons control through engineering," he announced. "Chen, monitor containment field harmonics. The millisecond they drop below forty percent, sing out."

  The tactical officer coordinated targeting solutions while Król synchronized the power pulses. One mistake, one millisecond of misalignment, and the reactor containment would fail spectacularly.

  "Ready on your mark, Bosman." Maria's voice carried a mix of confidence and tension.

  Król watched the power readings stabilize into the precise pattern they needed. The reactor temperature hovered just below critical levels. Everything balanced on a knife's edge of technical precision.

  "Initiating power pulse sequence," he announced. "Weapons, stand by."

  The first synchronized burst sent a shudder through the engineering deck. Król's hands flew across the controls, maintaining the delicate balance between power output and containment stability. Warning indicators screamed as safety systems registered the deliberate violations of their parameters.

  "Containment field at sixty percent," Chen reported. "Temperature approaching critical."

  B?yskawica's main guns fired in perfect rhythm with the power pulses. The Caliphate destroyer, caught off guard by the sudden increase in fire rate, took multiple hits before they could adjust their defenses.

  "Direct hits on their weapons grid," Maria called out. "Their starboard battery is disabled."

  Król focused entirely on power management, trusting his crew to handle their assigned tasks. The reactor temperature continued to climb despite his best efforts to maintain control.

  "Containment field failing!" Chen's warning came just as Król noticed the critical readings. "Forty-five seconds to breach!"

  "Rerouting emergency power to containment," Król announced, his fingers dancing across the controls. The ship groaned around them as systems pushed far beyond their design limits struggled to maintain cohesion.

  Another salvo from their enhanced weapons struck the Caliphate destroyer. Secondary explosions bloomed along their hull as the concentrated fire overwhelmed their armor.

  "Thirty seconds to containment failure," Chen reported. The engineering deck grew noticeably warmer as the reactor's cooling systems struggled to compensate.

  Król watched the countdown with one eye while maintaining the precise power pulses needed for their weapons. They were committed now - either their gamble would pay off, or they'd join the growing list of ships lost to reactor breach.

  "Their drive signature's fluctuating," Maria announced. "They're losing power to multiple sections."

  The Caliphate destroyer's return fire grew sporadic as more of their systems failed under B?yskawica's enhanced assault. But the victory would mean nothing if they couldn't prevent their own reactor from going critical.

  "Fifteen seconds to containment failure!"

  Król's hands moved with practiced precision, squeezing every possible moment from their failing systems. The reactor temperature peaked just short of the absolute critical threshold.

  "They're powering down weapons," Maria reported. "Their drive signature is dropping."

  "Ten seconds!"

  ***

  Król diverted the last drops of reserve power to containment, watching temperature readings dance at the edge of catastrophe. Every circuit, every power coupling, every system pushed beyond safety limits screamed through his engineering console.

  "Containment stabilizing," Chen reported. "Field strength rising to sixty percent."

  The reading confirmed what Król's decades of experience already told him - they'd pulled back from the brink. He allowed himself one deep breath before tackling the cascade of system warnings demanding attention.

  "Engineering to Bridge. Reactor contained, but we'll need a full shutdown and restart within the hour." His hands moved across the controls, redistributing power to critical systems. "Running on emergency protocols until then."

  "Acknowledged, Bosman." Captain Nowak's voice carried the weight of the past minutes. "Status of the civilian shuttle?"

  Król pulled up the sensor data, grimacing at the readings. "Their life support's failing. Environmental controls at thirty percent and dropping. They've got maybe twenty minutes of breathable air."

  He studied the shuttle's power signature, already formulating solutions. The refugee vessel's systems showed classic signs of poor maintenance - likely deliberate neglect by the Caliphate authorities.

  "Permission to coordinate rescue operations, Captain?" The words came automatically. These weren't just readings on a screen - they were people who'd risked everything for freedom.

  "Granted. Take charge of the transfer."

  Król switched channels. "Engineering to Damage Control. I need Teams Two and Four at docking collar three. Prepare for emergency passenger transfer." He transmitted detailed system readings to the teams. "That shuttle's environmental system is about to give out. We'll need to stabilize their atmosphere before attempting transfer."

  The damage control teams acknowledged as Król began power allocation for the rescue operation. The Caliphate destroyer hung silent in space, their weapons powered down but their presence a constant reminder of the broader conflict.

  "Ensign Roszak, coordinate with damage control." He noted how naturally Maria had settled into a command role during the crisis. "Your power routing modifications might help stabilize their life support long enough for transfer."

  "On it, Bosman." Maria's voice carried the focused intensity he'd come to expect. She'd proven herself today, showing both technical brilliance and tactical insight.

  The next twenty minutes passed in controlled chaos as they executed the rescue. Król monitored power levels while coordinating between damage control teams and shuttle systems. Each connection, each power transfer, each atmospheric adjustment had to be precise. One mistake could doom the refugees they'd fought to protect.

  The first refugees emerged through the docking collar - men, women, and children wearing environmental suits patched with makeshift repairs. Król watched through engineering cameras as damage control teams helped them aboard, providing emergency medical attention where needed.

  A young girl stumbled coming through the airlock. Without thinking, Król keyed the comm. "Medical team to docking collar three." He recognized radiation exposure symptoms from his early days on fusion-powered freighters.

  The girl's mother helped her up, their eyes meeting Król's through the camera feed. The raw gratitude in that look hit harder than any enemy fire. This was why they'd risked their ship, their lives. Not for politics or military advantage, but for moments like this.

  "Final group transferred," damage control reported. "Sealing docking collar."

  Król began power-down procedures on the empty shuttle. Its systems were too far gone to salvage - another piece of evidence showing the Caliphate's disregard for those fleeing their rule.

  "Engineering, Bridge." Captain Nowak's voice interrupted his work. "Status of the Caliphate destroyer?"

  "Their main drive's offline." Król studied the sensor readings. "Weapons systems showing minimal power. They're operating on emergency reserves." He allowed himself a small smile. "Our modifications worked better than expected."

  "And the cost?"

  Król pulled up the damage report. "We'll need two weeks in drydock to repair the reactor stress damage. Primary power couplings are shot. Secondary systems need complete overhaul." He paused, considering. "But we proved something today, Captain. Polonia Prime ships and crews can stand against larger forces."

  "Agreed." Nowak's tone carried pride beneath the professional exterior. "Begin reactor shutdown sequence. Grom is inbound to provide escort."

  The next hours passed in carefully controlled steps as Król managed the reactor shutdown. Each procedure required precise timing, especially with systems strained beyond design limits. He kept one eye on the Caliphate destroyer, but they remained powered down, likely conducting their own emergency repairs.

  Medical reported all refugees stable, though several would need extended treatment for radiation exposure. The girl he'd spotted earlier would recover fully - Polonia Prime's medical technology exceeded anything available in Caliphate space.

  As Król completed the shutdown checklist, he reflected on the day's events. They'd pushed a thirty-year-old destroyer beyond its limits, facing down a superior enemy force. More importantly, they'd saved lives - showing the galaxy that Polonia Prime would stand for something more than just military power.

  "Bosman?" Maria's voice carried exhaustion and pride in equal measure. "Final systems check complete. All emergency protocols holding steady."

  "Good work today, Ensign." He meant it. Her innovative thinking had helped save both ship and refugees. "Though next time, try to give me more than thirty seconds' warning before we redline the reactor."

  Her tired laugh carried through the comm. "Noted, Bosman. Though I hope there won't be a next time."

  Król studied the sensor readings of the damaged Caliphate destroyer. Their actions today would have consequences - the Caliphate wouldn't forget this defeat easily. But Polonia Prime had shown it could protect those seeking freedom, whatever the cost.

  "There's always a next time, Ensign." He began preparations for Grom’s arrival. "We just have to be ready for it."