Jolt-Eight reacts faster than Nine. The fighter streaks through space, blasting at the asteroid with all its lasercannons. Most miss. What few hit either glance off or only do superficial damage. In desperation, it launches a pair of proton torpedoes before breaking off from its attack run. The asteroid is fast, but the torpedoes are faster, closing in with every passing heartbeat…
“Sithspit!” Ceyla swears explosively as the asteroid turns on a dime, kicking itself into an impossible angle to allow the torpedoes to pass harmlessly above it. “How in the hell-?!”
The wounded freighter doesn’t even bother calling in a mayday. Its dorsal turret fires ineffectively as the ship approaches, buying time for what few escape pods can be launched. The asteroid spins ominously, its mouths spitting thermal projectiles that tear the ship apart in a violent explosion.
“No!” screams Convoy-Lead. His despair lasts only for another few heartbeats before professionalism wins over. “All ships, scatter!”
S-19 beeps a sharp warning. The calculation for the jump to Ulsind isn’t finished! But nobody pays the astrodroid any heed. Suzel nearly trips over himself, cursing as he launches himself into his seat, and gooses the <span class="mu-i">Albatross</span> to maximum sublight burn. The inertial dampeners only do so much, throwing you back into your seat, and poor Ceyla onto the floor with a pained yelp.
Straining against the sudden acceleration, you grab at the console and cycle to tactical overview. Jolt-Eight and Nine are in trouble – the asteroid chases Eight, who does everything in his power to try and dodge. Struggling behind is Nine, desperately trying to angle a shot. But they're running on borrowed time - there's only so many corkscrew maneuvers and escapes they can pull before g-lock gets the better of them.
“All fighters,” shouts Jolt-Lead, voice raw with grief and anger, “Target the asteroid! Protect the remaining freighters with everything you’ve got!”
>>What do you wish to do?>Join Jolt Squadron and engage the mysterious asteroid. (Attack)>Order an emergency jump for all ships back to Amagi. (Retreat)>Standby for S-19 to complete the Ulsind jump calculations. (Wait)>Custom option. [Write-in]<span class="mu-s">[VOTE OPEN FOR SEVEN HOURS]</span>
>>5664808From a certain perspective, this could be a very good thing to have happened. :^) 