The clipper erupted into the star-filled clear night with an explosive hail of water within meters of the port side of the USS Smith. Campbell could even see the surprised faces of the sailors scrambling on the decks of the battle cruiser as they flew directly upward. Already, mayhem was evident on the decks. Heavy fire and smoke poured from the ship's starboard side where it had been struck by its own highly explosive missiles.
Campbell could see that even the ship's heavy armor and shields had not been able to protect it from the four direct missile strikes. He instantly felt guilty. He had not intended to cause the heavy loss of life or property, but merely to escape their own destruction. Campbell was stunned as he leveled off and flew above the Smith. There was an immense flooding ho
