When the computer rang out with the familiar auditory alert, Haemon knew a ship had just passed into the warp. Any sudden distortion of space would set off the same sound, but he knew it was his men fulfilling his final order, retreating from the terrible encounter and letting the 'shameful cowardice' die with him.

“Animals know nothing of honor, but I do, and I choose not to endure this, to be picked at like scraps at the table. My brothers are safe. . . there‘s but one thing left for me to do.”