"A few blasts. But by that time I was in too close and moving too fast.
Fact of the matter is, sir, I don't think they ever recovered from my
first beaming of them."
"No, I suppose not," the Commodore said musingly. "It's a shame you had
to burn them so badly. We've never recovered a Kraden ship in good
enough shape to give our techs something to work on. It might make a
basic difference in the war, particularly if there was something aboard
that'd give us some indication of where they were coming from. We've
been fighting this war in our backyard for a full century. It would help
if we could get into _their_ backyard for a change. It's problematical
how long we'll be able to hold them off, at this rate."
Don Mathers said uncomfortably, "Well, it's not as bad as all that, sir.
We've held them this far."
His superior grunted. "We've held them this far because we've been able
to keep out enough patrol ships to give us ample warning when one of
their task forces come in. Do you know how much fuel that consumes,
Captain?"
"Well, I know it's a lot."
"So much so that Earth's industry is switching back to petroleum and
coal. Every ounce of radioactives is needed by the Fleet. Even so, it's
just a matter of time."