>>5898849After a short rest to clear your mind, you meet with Silas and Tim to discuss the upcoming operations. Somewhat out of routine, Tim speaks up, “First, the good news. Molosses would not move out of range for another 58 days, which should give us plenty of time to make all the most important repairs and maintenance checks.” He focuses the hologram on the Molosses task force, “Then the bad news. This is some serious firepower they are fielding to guard the gap. Not to mention the QRF blocking our rear. We can try a hooking manoeuvre, remaining outside of the gravwell, but they must have prepared for that as well.” After the sitrep, Tim hands the show over to Silas, who brings up a new hologram. Some of these designs look similar. Aren't they Directorate ships?
<span class="mu-s">“We gotta blow our way through. And these folks here can help us with that.”</span>
>The Yonaoshi-class light cruisers Yushi and Shishi. “Ienaga's company. Their ships can toss out a lot of missiles while ensuring we receive none a return. Only problem is, they won't be much good in a prolonged knife-fight with destroyers.”
>The Hunter-class frigate Richardstown.“I know your history with Roquefort, but he is still a competent commander. His frigate carries enough torpedoes to scare off larger ships, and that threat alone makes him worth bringing along. The armor will crumble from a sneeze, probably a good thing.”
>The Rattlesnake-class armed merchant cruiser Lathe of Heaven“We still owe Kholodovsky a favour for escorting the Skyline back to port after that ambush, this is our chance to repay it. The hull itself is ancient, but everything else has been kept mostly up-to-date. His coilguns will keep their destroyers at arm's length, as long as there are not too many.”
>The Mousquetaire-class destroyers Razoredge and Scarface“There are two types of privateers. So far, we have seen the civilised kind. Now we get to the shoot-lifepods-for-fun kind. These ships are still military-spec, sadly, and can more than hold their own against Sparrows. Their leader Liu is also as reasonable as her type gets. Just don't let her lock the door behind you.”
>The Invincible-class converted carrier Invincible“Okwonko has a serious ego, probably bigger than his hangars. Jokes aside, his strike drones are our best bet for quickly taking out their heavier ships. The carrier itself is clumsy and agonisingly slow, but I wouldn't feel too bad abandoning him if things go south.”
“No pressure to decide everything right now, but it certainly helps to send out feelers early.”
