WAIT
>1-1. No structural damage.One of the cruisers drops into low orbit, tilting its tripartite hull until it aligns with Yellowstone's elevator filament. The elevator station's docking umbilical clamps against the ship's singular airlock.
+++ Hibiscus-Nine-Seven. Transit Status. +++
The response is immediate.
"We are currently ascending in a cargo unit, projected to arrive in fifteen minutes. Please prepare us for integration."
You track the ascent of the cargo pod using the carrier's optical sensors, watching as it cuts through the storm and fades away above the cloud line. The hyperdiamond wire weathers the storm far better than your carrier - which despite the constant course corrections and RCS steering - had taken a fair amount of cosmetic damage to her external hull.
Still, it was faring far better than your original expectations. After a moment of consideration, you compliment navigation for their exceptional piloting.
<She is not in the pod,> notes one of the bridge-crew. <She could not have made the journey in time.>
<She is not.> you confirm. <Your observation is correct.>
You consider the ramifications of this. <Prepare the launch bay and oxygenate the pilot clades. Set sortie time to minus eleven minutes.>
In the hanger, pilots don interface helmets and check targeting systems. Warmed engines strain against the arresting force of magnetized docking clamps.
The cruiser hails Hibiscus again.
+++ Explain. No life signs in pod. Explain discrepancy or.... ++
She responds, slower this time. In the video feed, she dips her ceremonial knife and opens a vein on her wrist - letting her blood patter down onto her scarlet uniform sash.
"Now see. See what has become of our empire, traitor."
The pod lights flash. A second sun graces Yellowstone's sky.
>Roll 1d5-1 for structural damage, lowest of 3. >LAUNCH/ASCEND. Launch fighters immediately. Bring the SOLSTICE into orbit. [Concentrated first-strike]>LAUNCH. Launch fighters immediately. Keep the SOLSTICE hidden in the storm. [Solstice cannot be engaged by enemy]>SCAN. Using the detonation as a distraction, attempt to scan the enemy to learn more about their capabilities. [++INTEL] 
