Quoted By:
“A squadron of alien vessels sweeps above the orbital horizon to intercept us. Three destroyers and four corvettes, their firepower bolstered by a trio of cruisers lurking in their drive plume.
We strike before they can obtain a reliable sensor-lock. MERRYGATE invokes control access on the far-lunar station, launching a full bracket of anti-shipping missiles before overloading the central reactor. The slight, needle-nosed missiles outpace the RAIN within minutes, pushing several thousand gees as their seeker-heads hunt for their own kind. There is a flurry of point defense fire and last-minute evasive burn – followed immediately by the blinding cyan of warhead detonation. With restrained satisfaction, MERRYGATE removes two of the three cruisers from the tactical display.”
- [UNSIGNED], EXECUTIVE AUDITOR, TRS NOVEMBER RAIN, AD. 2242, DECEMBER 13th, PERSONAL JOURNAL//VOICE DICTATION
[The RAIN WILL:]
>ENGAGE. Ambush the destroyers and corvettes with the RAIN’s laser array. While they have not detected you yet, you cannot afford to leave them in a position where they can pursue you later.
>ENGAGE – MSL [4 LEFT]. Ambush the destroyers and corvettes by launching a conventional fusion missile, fused for proximity detonation. This will wipe out most of the taskforce and minimize risk to the RAIN.
>DECOY. Launch the RAIN’s scout drones and use them as sensor decoys. Continue your present course.
[MERRGATE WILL:]
>TRANSMISSION. MERRYGATE will attempt to degrade the enemy’s effectiveness by hopping through their comm channels and/or sending disruptive visual stimuli. Effectiveness may vary, but you anticipate at least some degree of disruption.
>HYPOMETRIC. MERRYGATE will target the approaching task force with the hypometric weapon.
>INTRUSION. MERRYGATE will attempt to seize control of another orbital defensive station. This task be difficult due to the absence of direct line of sight transmitters and the presence of anti-intrusion countermeasures in the remaining stations. However, MERRYGATE remains willing to make an attempt.
