>>6044741>>6043870>>6043934>>6044125While the DEW bank’s overall field of fire saturates the target area thoroughly, there is no time for the weapons to readjust their aim as the torpedoes are destroyed. Of the six shots fired, a pair of turrets hit the same target twice while one LASER wanders over a torpedo already ignited by another MASER beam. As the explosions clear, a lone boxy bogey remains homing in.
The torpedo finishes its final turn, growing slightly larger as it comes straight for the screen — then a momentary flash, brighter than all the others combined. The warhead detonates, pumping out a shotgun spread of purple GRASER beams, and the simulation terminates.
“Four outta five ain't bad, Guns.” You offer your Tactical officer a conciliatory handshake, which he takes stiffly after a considering pause.
Though you do note privately that his techs achieved the near perfect score without any intervention. He may well have beaten you four-to-three had you not personally led your crew out of their indecisive mixup.
“It was an adequate performance under adverse conditions.” He nods reassuringly to his team to maintain their positive morale despite the loss. Those mandatory leadership courses seem to finally be getting through to him.
<span class="mu-i">How unusually thoughtful.</span> You muse, <span class="mu-i">Perhaps there’s more than an icy heart behind those cold, calculating eyes after all-</span>
“But it would appear that in a fifty percent casualty scenario, your half of the weapons crew would be the desirable survivors.”
<span class="mu-i">Ah, there’s the Lieutenant I know…</span> You sigh in weary amusement.
“No worries, my friend,” You slap him on the shoulder amiably with one hand while waving the other placatingly at the slightly miffed crew behind his back. “A little luck, and a some timely advice is the only thing separating our teams. But you must admit that my decisions in the moment were sound despite...” You tap at the implant in your right temple and give him a knowing look.
“Readily, Sir.” He demures. “And congratulations on your victory. I shall strive to surpass you next time.”
Despite some (mostly) good natured jeering from the victorious half of the crew, the tension in Fire Control Room D gradually defuses. You deliberately decide to mix up everyone's stations and quickly switch to close range ship-to-ship engagement drills to help to focus Coen’s team’s frustrations into their work instead of on their loss. By the time you complete the rest of your three hour duty assignment you feel as if you’ve made progress with both your Tactical officer and the weapons techs.
<span class="mu-g"><span class="mu-s">SYNERGY updated.</span>
=Coen La’afette: +2 [Rank B (75%)]
=Gamma Crew: +1 [Rank C (65%)]</span>
As the time comes for you and Coen to rotate out for a lunch break, you take the opportunity to broach the subject of your simulated nightmares and subsequent sample analysis. (After taking the appropriate precautions of course.)