***
“Sir,” said the temporary helmsman, Stevens, “we are nearing the Devil’s Horn Nebula now. Sensors indicate heavy distortion and radiation readings inside. How would you like to proceed?”
“Take us in.”
Stevens turned the ship toward for the thick cloud of gas and energy. He declined to question Murdock’s dangerous decision to take them inside such an unstable formation.
“Sir, I’m getting a reading of a ship just entering our sensor range. It’s a very weak signal, but it’s definitely there and its trajectory indicates that it’s heading in this direction.”
Murdock was quite happy with himself and with the fulfillment of the first step of his plan. “Wonderful,” he said. “I want you to bring all weapons online and have everything fully charged. Continue tracking that ship as we move into the nebula, and lock all weapons onto their coordinates. While you’re at it, lay in the course to the Cartrite rendezvous as well. We shan’t be long here.”