The secondary cannons were already firing.
Vanessa saw them first. Dozens of plasma bolts were shooting straight at Ariana's tumbling ship.
"No!" Vanessa pushed Nomad harder than she had ever pushed it before. Its solar sails glowed with starlight as it flew fast.
They weren't going to make it.
The distance was too far. The shots were too fast. Ariana was spinning helplessly. Her ship was dark and dead, unable to dodge or defend itself.
Jonah felt the moment stretch. He had a terrible feeling that he was about to watch another friend lose their life
Then something impossible happened.
A ship appeared between Ariana and the plasma fire.
It was not one of theirs. This one was smaller. Its hull was midnight black.
The plasma bolts hit its shields and scattered harmlessly.
"What the..." Vanessa's voice trailed off.
Jonah knew that ship. He recognized the energy signature even before his sensors confirmed it.
Silas.
