Meanwhile, a Cynosuran task force of five heavy cruisers intercepts a mail ship headed for Meraz and tortures its pilot to death for information.
The trainees manage to fake their ship's crash on the moon of a gas giant, and the Cynosurans resume their cautious approach to Meraz.
The disgruntled Jackson attempts to seize control of the ship, almost killing Fujisaki, Oort, and Dundee before McGinty and Vallas manage to turn the tables.
Next, the Surprise crew manage to spoof the sensors of the remaining two enemy ships while in close proximity to the rings of a Saturn-like gas giant, destroying the cruiser Apocalypse.
As the Cynosuran captain prepares to administer a coup de grace, his missile is intercepted by a newly arrived Earth fleet, causing the enemy to withdraw.