>>6342268>>6342344>Lift the knight: (9, 12, 4)Seeing the knight resist it's descent into the upper atmosphere of the gas giant, the interceptor crews moved to save the machine and it's pilot. Maneuvering around the knight frame, the interceptors "docked" as carefully as they could, ramming an wedging their craft into joints and any area of purchase. The interceptors were in truth just byproducts of the strike craft program, and incredibly fragile for it. Crews fought their dying craft as damaged reactors were shut down and functional ones were pushed past their operational limits. Engines began going autophagic, consuming themselves along with the hydrogen atmosphere, a final violent moment to their lives. Following her enemie's cue, Aura pushed her knight frame to the limit, irreparably damaging an heirloom and legacy. The combined effort wasn't enough, but the interceptors did have ultra short range tactical jump capability. A poor idea to use it within even such thin atmosphere, but sometimes you play the hand you are dealt.
You watched the event unfold as sensor play back data, and hyperspectral video. A shower of wreckage blew out of the upper atmosphere of the gas giant, in it was the majority of a knight frame, and the shrapnel of your interceptors. Closer examination showed one unit was functional enough to return to base under it's own power, while one needed salvage and recovery. "Yellow Knight" and it's crew were destroyed, the gambit cost them more than their heavily damaged craft could handle.
Your utility craft were dispatched to recover the wreckage which was then stripped of all damaged modular components. The knight crews had modified their interceptors more extensively than the strike craft, deviating from the practice of minimal modifications. There was enough viable material to rebuild one, and pull assets from the strike line to complete another. The interceptors were never a priority, and more of a beneficial offshoot of the displaced knights that dwelled on your station. It might be time to review that program.
Your staff had compiled an assessment of the interceptor vs knight performance. At minimum, 3 interceptors were needed to pose a viable threat to a knight. Requiring 6 noble pilots against one, the cost savings were in the equipment, and the psychological need of noble knights to prove themselves. Even then the pilot your experienced interceptor crews fought was apparently a rookie.
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Your knights had quickly secured the enemy frame within their hanger, promptly stripping the machine and attempting to fit their hodgepodge of disparate marks and models of components together into something resembling a complete frame. There were already rumors of planned duels for piloting rights, along with the admiralty wanting access to the frame and it's pilot. If they outright seized the asset you'd have a potential riot to deal with. You had new problems.
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>feel free to make new interceptors. 